U.S. patent application number 09/782450 was filed with the patent office on 2002-02-14 for thermal garment.
Invention is credited to Poholski, Mike.
Application Number | 20020016984 09/782450 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 21760973 |
Filed Date | 2002-02-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020016984 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Poholski, Mike |
February 14, 2002 |
Thermal garment
Abstract
A personal thermal garment has a shell and a thermal insert that
overlay and cover a substantial portion of the back and the chest
of a user. The shell has inner and outer layers that are
interconnected to define a chamber between the layers, the chamber
extending substantially throughout the shell and overlaying a
substantial portion of the back and chest of the user. An access
opening to access the chamber is provided in the shell. The thermal
insert can be preheated to warm the user or can be precooled to
cool the user. The thermal insert substantially conforms to the
chamber and has a body portion with two leg portions that extend in
the same general direction from the body portion. The insert body
substantially overlays and covers the back of the user, with one of
the two legs extending over one of the user's shoulders, and the
other of the two legs extending over the other shoulder. The access
opening is sized to have a length that is about the same as a width
of the thermal insert, to easily and conveniently insert and remove
the thermal insert into and from the chamber. The thermal insert
may have two congruent layers and multiple compartments defined
between the two layers, with one of the compartments being sealed
and containing a thermal storage medium. Alternatively, the insert
may be constructed in one integral piece. Alternatively, a direct
thermal material such as crushed ice or water can be used in
certain embodiments of the invention without a separately formed
thermal insert component.
Inventors: |
Poholski, Mike;
(Goodlettsville, TN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Waters & Morse, P.C.
400 Ledyard Building
125 Ottawa, Avenue, NW
Grand Rapids
MI
49503
US
|
Family ID: |
21760973 |
Appl. No.: |
09/782450 |
Filed: |
February 13, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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09782450 |
Feb 13, 2001 |
|
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09013641 |
Jan 26, 1998 |
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6185744 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
2/94 ; 2/102;
607/108 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A41D 13/0058
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
2/94 ; 2/102;
607/108 |
International
Class: |
A41D 001/04 |
Claims
I claim:
1. A thermal garment for a person, the garment comprising: a shell
that is worn by a user and that overlays and covers at least a
portion of the back and chest of the user, the shell having inner
and outer layers that define a chamber therebetween, the chamber
extending substantially throughout at least one of a back portion
back and a chest portion of the shell, the shell also having a
garment access opening that extends from the chamber to outside the
shell, to access the chamber; and a corresponding thermal insert
removably positioned in the chamber, the thermal insert including a
thermal material that is selected from a group of materials that
includes thermal materials that can be preheated to a preselected
temperature to warm the user and thermal materials that can be
precooled to a preselected temperature to cool the user, the
thermal insert being easily and conveniently insertable into and
removable from the chamber.
2. The thermal garment defined in claim 1, wherein the thermal
insert is a first insert, wherein the back portion includes
opposing left and right back portions, wherein the chest portion
includes opposing left and right chest portions, wherein the first
thermal insert extends between the left back portion and the left
chest portion, wherein the thermal garment further includes a
second thermal insert, and wherein the second thermal insert
extends between the right back portion and the right chest
portion.
3. The thermal garment defined in claim 1, wherein the insert has
two congruent layers and at least one compartment defined between
the two layers.
4. The thermal garment defined in claim 3, wherein the insert
includes an insert access opening through which the compartment is
accessed.
5. The thermal garment defined in claim 4, wherein the insert
access has a closure and the closure is selected from a group of
closures including snap, zipper, button, spline and groove,
aperture and force fit plug, and aperture and screw cap
closures.
6. The thermal garment defined in claim 1, wherein the garment
access has a closure and the closure is selected from a group of
closures including snap, zipper, button, spline and groove,
aperture and force fit plug, and aperture and screw cap
closures.
7. The thermal garment defined in claim 1, wherein the insert is
constructed in one, integral piece.
8. The thermal garment defined in claim 1, wherein the shell inner
layer includes an air permeable layer that defines a thermal
control baffle.
9. The thermal garment defined in claim 1, wherein the shell outer
layer includes a thermal barrier layer.
10. A thermal garment, the garment being adapted to be worn by a
person, the garment having left and right back portions and having
left and right chest portions, the garment comprising: a shell, the
shell having inner and outer layers, the inner and the outer layers
defining a chamber therebetween, the chamber extending generally
throughout the shell, the shell also having a shell access opening
that extends from the chamber through one of the inner and the
outer layers; and a cooperating thermal insert, the thermal insert
being adapted to be one of heated and cooled to a preselected
temperature, the thermal insert being removably positioned in the
chamber.
11. The thermal garment defined in claim 10, wherein the thermal
insert is a first insert, wherein the first thermal insert extends
between the left back portion and the left chest portion, wherein
the thermal garment further includes a second thermal insert, and
wherein the second thermal insert extends between the right back
portion and the right chest portion.
12. The thermal garment defined in claim 11, wherein the thermal
insert includes a compartment, wherein the thermal insert includes
an insert access that extends from the compartment through the
insert, wherein the insert access has a closure that is selected
from a group of closures including snap, zipper, button, spline and
groove, aperture and force fit plug, and aperture and screw cap
closures.
13. The thermal garment defined in claim 10, wherein the shell
access has a closure and the closure is selected from a group of
closures including snap, zipper, button, spline and groove,
aperture and force fit plug, and aperture and screw cap
closures.
14. The thermal garment defined in claim 10, wherein the insert is
constructed in one, integral piece.
15. The thermal garment defined in claim 10, wherein the shell
inner layer includes an air permeable layer that defines a thermal
control baffle.
16. The thermal garment defined in claim 10, wherein the shell
outer layer includes a thermal barrier layer.
17. A thermal garment comprising: an inner shell; a cooperating
outer shell, the outer shell corresponding to and overlaying the
inner shell, the inner and the outer shells being connected and
defining a chamber between the inner and the outer shells, the
chamber extending substantially throughout the garment; an access
opening, the access opening extending from the chamber and through
one of the inner and the outer shells; and a thermal material, the
thermal material being selected from a group that includes
materials that can be preheated to a preselected temperature to
warm a user and materials that can be precooled to a preselected
temperature to cool the user, the thermal material being removably
positioned in the chamber.
18. The thermal garment defined in claim 17, wherein the access
opening includes a closure device that is selected from a group
that includes snap, zipper, button, spline and groove, aperture and
force fit plug, and aperture and screw cap closures.
19. The thermal garment defined in claim 17, wherein the inner
shell includes an air permeable layer that defines a thermal
control baffle.
20. The thermal garment defined in claim 17, wherein the outer
shell includes a thermal barrier layer.
21. A thermal garment for a person, the garment comprising: a shell
that is worn by a user and that overlays and covers at least a
portion of the back and chest of the user, the shell having inner
and outer layers that include a chamber therebetween, the chamber
extending substantially over a back portion back and a chest
portion of the shell, with the back and chest portions of the
chamber on each side of the shell being connected over the shoulder
the shell also having a garment access opening in the shoulder that
extends from the chamber to outside the shell, to access the
chamber; and a corresponding thermal material removably positioned
in the chamber, the thermal material consisting of either a
coolable or heatable solid or liquid filler material or a thermal
insert, the thermal insert including a thermal material that is
selected from a group of materials that includes thermal materials
that can be preheated to a preselected temperature to warm the user
and thermal materials that can be precooled to a preselected
temperature to cool the user, the thermal material being easily and
conveniently insertable into and removable from the chamber.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This is a continuing application of co-pending U.S.
Non-provisional patent application Ser. No. 09/013,641, entitled
THERMAL VEST and filed on Jan. 26, 1998, by Mike Poholski, now U.S.
Pat. No. 6,185,744, the disclosure of which is incorporated here by
reference.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not Applicable.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The invention relates to thermal garments. More
particularly, the invention relates to active thermal control
garments, rather than passive garments that only provide insulation
to contain the body heat of the user or to block ambient heat.
[0004] In many settings of daily life, in both work and
recreational settings, a person will be subjected to excessive heat
or cold. Exposure to heat and cold is common for those who work
outside, and for some indoor, industrial environments. It is
well-known to use insulating clothing to minimize body heat loss in
a cold environment and to block high ambient temperature. It is
also known to use an active, auxiliary heat source, such as an
electric resistance heat insert for gloves and boots, for
example.
[0005] There are also known some high technology environment suits
that provide cooling as well as heating. Such garments are,
however, often found in the context of a total environment suit
that includes a separate thermal unit that is connected by hoses,
or the like, with a thermal barrier and insulated thermal control
garment. While this may be appropriate in space exploration or in
some specialized terrestrial context, there remain a great number
of situations in which a worker or sportsman is subjected to
excessive heat or cold, in which the known high technology approach
is simply impractical, and in which the know insulating approaches
are inadequate.
[0006] Consider, for example, the great many settings in which
construction workers labor in sweltering summer heat or in numbing
winter cold. Active control of one's body temperature under these
circumstances will minimize risks of hypothermia and hyperthermia,
and will also enhance efficiency and effectiveness in performing
the task at hand.
[0007] Thus, one will readily appreciate the desirability of a self
contained, versatile thermal garment that a worker, or sportsman,
may use to help keep warm or cool.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] A personal thermal garment according to the invention has a
shell that is worn by the user, and that overlays and covers a
substantial portion of the back and the chest of the user. The
shell has inner and outer layers that are interconnected and define
a chamber between the layers. The chamber can extend substantially
over the front and back of the shell or over the front, back, and
shoulders of the shell. An access opening is provided in the shell
to access the chamber. A thermal insert that can be preheated to
warm the user or can be precooled to cool the user is easily and
conveniently inserted into and removed from the chamber, through
the access opening. In one aspect of the invention, the thermal
insert substantially has a body portion with two leg portions that
extend in the same general direction from the body portion. The
access opening is sized to have a length that is about the same as
a width of the thermal insert. In one aspect of the invention, the
insert body substantially overlays and covers the back of the user,
with one of the two legs extending over one of the user's shoulders
from the insert body, and with the other of the two legs extending
over the other shoulder of the user.
[0009] In another aspect of the invention, the insert body may
generally be a right quadrilateral portion that wraps around and
substantially overlays and covers the user between the shoulders
and hips. One of the two legs extends toward one of the user's
shoulders, while the other of the two legs extends toward the other
shoulder. The insert body may also have first and second opposing
ends with the first leg being located near the first end, and the
second leg being located near the second end. The insert may
further have a third leg that extends over the user's upper back,
toward the neck, from the body, and between the first and second
ends.
[0010] In still another aspect of the invention, the insert body
can be in two sections that fit over the shoulders of the garment
and extend downwardly on each side to cover the chest and back of
the user.
[0011] The thermal insert may have two congruent layers and
multiple compartments defined between the two layers. At least one
of the multiple compartments is sealed closed and contains a
thermal storage medium. Alternatively, the insert may be
constructed in one, integral piece.
[0012] In another aspect of the invention, the chamber is designed
to receive directly a cooling medium such as crushed ice. The
chamber can be closed by a cap, a stopper or a hook and loop
fastener in such a case. Desirably, an enlarged hook and fastener
opening is provided so the chamber can either accommodate water or
crushed ice or a thermal insert.
[0013] These and other features, objects, and benefits of the
invention will be recognized by one having ordinary skill in the
art and by those who practice the invention, from the
specification, the claims, and the drawing Figures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING
[0014] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a thermal garment
according to the invention as worn by a user;
[0015] FIG. 2 is a back perspective view thereof, showing an access
opening for the thermal insert;
[0016] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view along section line III-III
of FIG. 2;
[0017] FIG. 4 is the view of FIG. 3, showing the thermal insert in
a partially inserted/removed position;
[0018] FIG. 5 is a plan view of the thermal insert;
[0019] FIG. 6 is the plan view of FIG. 5, showing a two piece
thermal insert;
[0020] FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of the detail VII of FIG. 4;
[0021] FIG. 8 is a front perspective view of a first alternative
embodiment of a thermal garment according to invention;
[0022] FIG. 9 is the view of FIG. 8, showing the thermal insert in
a partially inserted/removed position;
[0023] FIG. 10 is an elevational view of the thermal insert for the
first alternative embodiment;
[0024] FIG. 11 is a front perspective view of a second alternative
embodiment of a thermal garment according to the invention;
[0025] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view along section line III-III
of FIG. 2, showing a third alternative embodiment of a thermal
garment according to the invention with an aperture and screw cap
closure;
[0026] FIG. 13 is the cross-sectional view of FIG. 12, showing an
alternative aperture and force fit plug closure;
[0027] FIG. 14 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional detail of
the view of FIG. 12;
[0028] FIG. 15 is a front perspective view of a third alternative
embodiment of a garment according to the invention.
[0029] FIG. 16 is a back perspective view thereof.
[0030] FIG. 17 is a cross sectional view taken along lines
XVII-XVII of FIG. 16.
[0031] FIG. 18 is an enlarged view of the detail XVIII of FIG.
17.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0032] A first embodiment of a thermal garment according to the
invention is generally shown in the drawing FIGS. 1-6, and is
indicated by the reference number 20. The garment 20 comprises two
major parts, namely, a shell 22 and a thermal insert 24.
[0033] The shell 22 is worn by a user and overlays and covers a
substantial portion of the back and the chest of the user. The
shell 22 has inner and outer layers 26 and 28, respectively, that
are interconnected to define a chamber 30 between the layers. The
chamber 30 extends generally throughout the shell 22 and, thus,
also overlays and covers a substantial portion of the back and the
chest of the user. The inner and outer layers 26 and 28,
respectively, may be constructed of any suitable material,
including, and not limited to natural fiber fabrics, synthetic
fiber fabrics, blended fiber fabrics, and membrane materials, for
example, as will be understood by one having ordinary skill in the
art.
[0034] Most preferably, the inner layer 26 will have an open mesh
fiber construction, which may be a high pile, crush resistant cloth
that is pliable to conform to the body of the user, and is porous,
with good air transfer qualities, to serve as a heat control
baffle, for example. The inner layer 26 may also be an open mesh of
firm or stiff fibers that are interwoven to define a porous spacer
that is also pliable to conform to the body of the user, and is
interposed between the user and the thermal insert, for example. In
any embodiment, the inner layer 26 preferably modulates or diffuses
heat transfer between the user and the thermal insert 24 to
distribute the heat transfer in a generally uniform or homogenous
thermal flow.
[0035] The outer layer 28 will preferably block heat transfer
between the thermal insert 24 and the user's environment to define
a micro environment within the thermal garment 20, with the thermal
insert acting as a heat sink to absorb heat from or radiate heat to
the user. Thus, the outer layer 28 may preferably provide thermal
insulation and wind blocking qualities. The thermal insulation
quality may be provided by a layer of insulating material 34, such
as Thinsulate brand insulation or other suitable, garment quality
insulation, as one having ordinary skill in the art will
understand. The wind blocking property may be provided by any
tightly woven fabric 36 or a micro fiber fabric, which are
currently popular in the clothing industry, for example. Thus the
outer layer 28 may actually be a multiple layer component of the
shell 22. The outer layer 28 may alternatively be a single layer of
a material that satisfactorily provides the preselected design
criteria of a particular configuration of a thermal garment
according to the invention.
[0036] While the thermal garment 20 is specifically shown in a vest
configuration, a thermal garment according to the invention may
also be made in any desirable cut or fashion, including a jacket, a
coat, or a short bodied garment, for example. In whatever
configuration or fashion style the thermal garment 20 is
constructed, it will preferably include an access opening 40 with a
length that extends fully across the breadth of the user to provide
convenient access to the chamber 30 between the inner and outer
layers 26 and 28, respectively, for unrestricted insertion and
removal of the thermal insert 24. The access opening 40 is
conveniently provided with a full breadth flap 42 across the
shoulders of the thermal garment 20. A hook and loop fastener 44 is
preferably used to hold the access opening 40 in a closed position
and maximize the thermal barrier effectiveness of the outer layer
28. Although, one who practices the invention may choose to use
alternative fasteners, as are known in the garment industry,
including without limitation snap, zipper, button, and spline and
groove closures.
[0037] The thermal insert 24 substantially conforms to the chamber
30 and has a body portion 50 with two leg portions 52 that extend
in the same general direction from the body portion. The body
portion 50 has a width that is about the same as the length of the
access opening 40 to facilitate quick and convenient insertion and
removal of the thermal insert 24 into and from the chamber 30 in
the shell, respectively. The body portion 50 is positioned in the
chamber 30 to substantially overlay and cover the back of the user,
while one of the two legs 52 extends into the chamber, over one of
the user's shoulders, and the other of the two legs 52 extends into
the chamber over the other shoulder of the user.
[0038] The thermal insert 24 may also have various constructions,
including, two congruent layers 54 of material, that are aligned
with one another and attached to one another along their perimeter
and selectively within the perimeter to define a quilted member
with an array of individual compartments 56 defined between the two
layers. The array of compartments may be defined in a checker board
pattern as is specifically shown in the drawing Figures, or may be
defined in a variety of other patterns, including a box quilting
pattern, for example, as is understood by one having ordinary skill
in the art. Each of the individual compartments 56 is filled with a
thermal material during assembly of the thermal insert 24. The
choice of how the compartments 56 are defined may be affected by
the selection of thermal material.
[0039] In one embodiment of the thermal insert 24, the two layers
54 may be any conventional durable and pliable fabric material and
the thermal material may be ceramic beads, for example. In a
second, alternative embodiment of the thermal insert 24, the two
layers 54 maybe a water tight material and the thermal material may
be a "freezeable" or heatable liquid or jell, for example. Of
course, the thermal insert will most preferably remain pliable even
after freezing, as will be understood by one having ordinary skill
in the art. Also, the two layers 54 may be attached to one another
with any suitable method, according to the material selected,
including sewing, gluing, or welding, for example, as will be
understood by one having ordinary skill in the art.
[0040] In yet a third, alternative embodiment, the thermal insert
24 may have a bladder like construction that defines a single
interior chamber. This construction is preferably used when the
thermal material is a unitary or monolithic material that does not
require an insert chamber or the like to define its configuration
and which is preferably provided for use with a covering. The third
insert configuration may also be used with crushed ice as the
thermal material, for example.
[0041] One having ordinary skill in the art will understand from
this disclosure that the various insert configurations may
selectively be closed bodies or may be provided with an access
opening as appropriate to the construction of the insert and to the
specific thermal material used. Some exemplary closures may include
snap, zipper, button, and spline and groove closures, and aperture
and force fit plug closures (FIG. 13), and aperture and screw cap
closures (FIG. 12).
[0042] In use, the thermal garment 28 may be worn by the user to
warm or cool the user and to generally insulate the user from his
environment. The garment 20 will commonly be prepared for wearing
by preheating the thermal insert 24 in an oven or the like or
precooling the thermal insert in a refrigerator or freezer or the
like. Alternatively, the insert 24 may simply be stored at room
temperature for use in a moderate environment, to provide a heat
sink. That is, the thermal garment 20 may be useful to minimize
thermal shock when a user repeatedly moves between relatively hot
and cold environments.
[0043] With the thermal insert 24 previously prepared as desired by
heating or cooling and the like, the insert is inserted into the
chamber 30 of the garment 20 through the access opening 48. So
assembled, the garment 20 is worn by a user and the thermal insert
24 generally surrounds the torso of the user, to provide a heating
or cooling thermal source. With the thermal insert spaced from the
user by the thermal baffle of the inner layer 26, heat flow between
the user and the insert 24 is moderated to minimize localized hot
and cold spots.
[0044] A first alternative embodiment 120 of a thermal garment
according to the invention is a generally shown in the drawing
FIGS. 9-10. The garment 120 also comprises two major parts, namely
a shell 122 and a thermal insert 124, each substantially as
discussed above in greater detail regarding the garment 20, shell
22 and thermal insert 24. The garment 120 differs from the garment
20, discussed above, in the configuration of the thermal insert 124
and the access opening 140. Because of the substantial similarities
between the garments 20 and 120, common reference numbers will be
used for common elements, and only the differences will be
discussed.
[0045] In the thermal garment 120, the access opening 140 is
positioned adjacent the front placket of the garment and
incorporated into the perimeter seam between the inner and outer
layers 26 and 28, respectively, of the shell. The access opening
140 may be closed with a hook and loop fastener, a zipper, or an
alternative fastener, as is known in the garment industry. With the
access opening 140 located along the front placket 160 of the
garment 120, the thermal insert 124 is fed through the access
opening and into the chamber 30 to wrap around the user.
[0046] Depending upon the specific requirements of the user, the
thermal insert 124 may have alternative configurations. In a first
configuration, the thermal insert 124 has a quadrilateral body
portion 150 with two opposing ends, and two legs 152 that extend in
the same general direction from the body portion (FIG. 10). One of
the two legs 152 is located at one of the two opposing ends, and
the other of the two legs 152 is located at the other of the two
opposing ends of the body portion 150. A third leg 154 is generally
centered between the first two legs 152, and extends from the body
portion 150 in the same general direction as the two legs 152.
While the two legs 152 extend over the chest, from the body portion
150 toward the neck or shoulders, of the user, the third leg
extends up the back of the user toward the neck or shoulders of the
user, when worn.
[0047] In a second configuration (not shown), the thermal insert
has a generally quadrilateral body portion without any legs. This
is substantially only the body portion 150 of the insert 124. In
this configuration, the thermal insert is useful to thermally
protect the vulnerable lower thoracic area of the user. Further,
the second configuration of the thermal insert may be used in
combination with the first configuration 122 for extreme conditions
to further protect the vulnerable lower thoracic area.
[0048] A second alternative embodiment 220 of a thermal garment
according to the invention is generally shown in the drawing FIG.
11. The garment 220 also comprises two major parts, namely a shell
222 and the thermal insert 124, again each substantially as
discussed above in greater detail regarding the garments 20 and
120, shell 22 and thermal insert 124. The garment 220 differs from
the garment 120, discussed above, in the configuration of the
access opening 240. Again, because of the substantial similarities
among the various embodiments of the garments 20, 120, and 220,
common reference numbers will be used for common elements, and only
the differences will be discussed.
[0049] In the thermal garment 220, the access opening 240 is
positioned at the bottom hem of the garment and incorporated into
the bottom hem seam, between the inner and outer layers 26 and 28,
respectively, of the shell. The access opening 240 may be closed
with a hook and loop fastener, a zipper, or an alternative
fastener, as is known in the garment industry. With the access
opening 240 located along the bottom hem of the garment 220, the
thermal insert 124 is fed upward through the access opening and
into the chamber 30.
[0050] A third alternative embodiment 320 of a thermal garment
according to the invention is a generally shown in the drawing
FIGS. 12-14. The garment 320 comprises only the shell portion 322,
which is substantially as discussed above in greater detail
regarding the garments 20 and 120 and shell 22. The garment 320
differs from the embodiments discussed above in that a thermal
material, crushed ice for example, may be placed directly in the
compartment 30. Again, because of the substantial similarities
among the various embodiments of the garments 20, 120, and 220,
common reference numbers will be used for common elements, and only
the differences will be discussed.
[0051] The garment 320 may use the same closures as discussed above
regarding the back yoke access opening 40 of garment 20. The
garment 320 may further use aperture 322 and force fit plug 324
closures (FIG. 13), and aperture 326 and screw cap 328 closures
(FIG. 12). Regardless of the closure used, a thermal material 330
may be directly placed within the chamber 30. When ice, preferably
crushed ice, is used as the thermal material, a design choice is
presented whether to contain the water that will result as the ice
melts or to let the water seep out of the chamber 30 and further
contribute to cooling the user with evaporative cooling. Thus, the
chamber may be made water tight or water permeable,
respectively.
[0052] Another embodiment 420 of the thermal garment of the present
invention is shown in FIGS. 15-18. In this garment, shell 422 can
be a jacket or vest or the like and is illustrated as a vest. Shell
422 comprises an inner layer 426 and an outer layer 428. These
layers are connected together to define a chamber 430 that extends
over the chest, shoulder and back portions on each side of the
garment. The chambers can be connected as a single chamber in the
back or can be separate chambers as shown.
[0053] The construction of the shell can be substantially the same
as the embodiments described above. In the shell illustrated in
FIG. 18, inner layer 426 includes an interior liner 432 and then
has a buffer material 434 positioned between the inner liner and
thermal chamber 430. Buffer material can be any of the materials
used for inner layer 26 described above, including a pile fabric, a
porous spacer or other materials. The buffer material can provide
some thermal separation between crushed ice and areas of the body,
in order to prevent excessive chilling. The buffer material can be
permeable so that the ice can be permitted to leak if desired.
[0054] Chamber 430 can be formed by sealing the inner and outer
layers together or a waterproof chamber could be incorporated
between the layers if waterproof characteristics are desired and
are not achieved by bonding the layers together.
[0055] Outer layer 428 can include a thermal insulating material
436 and an outer shell material 438 or other material as described
above.
[0056] As shown in FIG. 17, a thermal insert 24 of the type shown
in FIG. 6 can be inserted in the chambers 430 on each side of the
garment. To do this, the shell has flaps 440 and 442 at the tops of
each shoulder of the garment, with the flaps overlapping and being
connected by hook and loop fasteners 444 and 446 respectively. The
flaps have seams 448 and 450 that limit the distance that the flaps
can be opened and provide for a sealed chamber below the seams.
When flaps 440 and 442, as shown in FIG. 15, are opened, either
insert 24 or crushed ice or water 452 can be inserted in the
opening. The flaps are then closed to lock in either type of
thermal device, providing cooling for the chest, shoulder and back
portions of the user. The construction of the garment is the same
on both sides of the garment.
[0057] An important advantage of the garment of FIGS. 15-18 is that
either a cooling medium directly or a thermal insert can be
employed in the garment, depending upon the circumstances or
preferences of the user. This provides greater versatility and
improved functionality of the product.
[0058] It will be understood by one having ordinary skill in the
art and by others, that various modifications and improvements may
be made without departing from the spirit of the disclosed concept.
Various relational terms, including left, right, front, back, top,
and bottom, for example, are used in the detailed description of
the invention and in the claims only to convey relative positioning
of various elements of the claimed invention. The scope of
protection afforded is to be determined by the claims and by the
breadth of interpretation allowed by law.
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