U.S. patent application number 10/350862 was filed with the patent office on 2004-07-29 for reversible, protective garment for military or paramilitary firefighter.
This patent application is currently assigned to Morning Pride Manufacturing, L.L.C.. Invention is credited to Grilliot, Mary I., Grilliot, William L., Lewis, Patricia.
Application Number | 20040143883 10/350862 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32712815 |
Filed Date | 2004-07-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040143883 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Grilliot, William L. ; et
al. |
July 29, 2004 |
Reversible, Protective garment for military or paramilitary
firefighter
Abstract
Being reversible, a protective garment for a military or
paramilitary firefighter or emergency worker has a shell of high
visibility and a shell of low visibility. The shell of high
visibility has portions that are reflective, fluorescent, or both,
which the shell of low visibility does not have. When facing
outwardly, the shell of low visibility appears black, or at least
dark, in ambient light or displays camouflage. Except that the
shell of low visibility does not have any reflective or fluorescent
portions, the shells conform to National Fire Protection
Association (NFPA) standards for outer shells of protective
garments for firefighters. The shells are equal, or at least
similar, in basis weights.
Inventors: |
Grilliot, William L.;
(Dayton, OH) ; Grilliot, Mary I.; (Dayton, OH)
; Lewis, Patricia; (Huber Heights, OH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WOOD, PHILLIPS, KATZ, CLARK & MORTIMER
500 W. MADISON STREET
SUITE 3800
CHICAGO
IL
60661
US
|
Assignee: |
Morning Pride Manufacturing,
L.L.C.
|
Family ID: |
32712815 |
Appl. No.: |
10/350862 |
Filed: |
January 24, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
2/93 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A62B 17/003 20130101;
A62B 17/001 20130101; A41D 13/01 20130101; A41D 15/005 20130101;
F41H 3/02 20130101; Y10S 2/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
002/093 |
International
Class: |
A41D 001/00 |
Claims
1. A protective garment for a military or paramilitary firefighter
or emergency worker, the protective garment being reversible and
having a shell of high visibility and a shell of low visibility,
the protective garment being wearable with either shell facing
outwardly, wherein the shell of high visibility has portions that
are reflective, fluorescent, or both, which face outwardly when the
protective garment is worn so that the shell of high visibility
faces outwardly and which the shell of low visibility does not
have.
2. The protective garment of claim 1 wherein those portions are
provided by reflective trim affixed to the shell of high
visibility.
3. The protective garment of claim 1 wherein, when facing
outwardly, the shell of low visibility appears dark in ambient
light.
4. The protective garment of claim 1 wherein, when facing
outwardly, the shell of low visibility appears black in ambient
light.
5. The protective garment of claim 1 wherein, when facing
outwardly, the shell of low visibility displays camouflage.
6. The protective garment of claim 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 wherein, except
that the shell of low visibility does not have reflective trim or
any reflective or fluorescent portions, the shells conform to
National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards for outer
shells of protective garments for firefighters.
7. The protective garment of claim 6 wherein the shells are similar
in basis weights.
8. The protective garment of claim 6 wherein the shells are equal
in basis weights.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention pertains to a protective garment for a
firefighter or emergency worker, particularly a military or
paramilitary firefighter or emergency worker. This invention
contemplates that the protective garment is reversible so as to
expose, as an outer shell, either a shell of high visibility or a
shell of low visibility.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Protective garments for firefighters and emergency workers
include coats, trousers, overalls, and coveralls. Currently,
National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards require a
protective garment for a firefighter to have reflective trim, which
enhances the visibility of the protective garment and, therefore,
the visibility of its wearer under smoke-laden and other adverse
conditions. Generally, reflective trim is affixed by sewing,
adhesively, or otherwise.
[0003] However, for a military or paramilitary firefighter or
emergency worker operating where a tactical operation has developed
or is expected to develop, a need for low visibility may override a
need for high visibility. Heretofore, a military or paramilitary
firefighter or emergency worker may have to be issued two types of
protective garments, i.e., protective garments to be worn in a
tactical operation, in which the need for low visibility overrides
the need for high visibility, and protective garments to be worn
otherwise.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] This invention provides a protective garment for a military
or paramilitary firefighter or emergency worker. Being reversible,
the protective garment has a shell of high visibility and a shell
of low visibility. The protective garment is wearable with either
shell facing outwardly. The shell of high visibility has portions
that are reflective, fluorescent, or both, which the shell of low
visibility does not have. Those portions, which face outwardly when
the protective garment is worn so that the shell of high visibility
faces outwardly, may be provided by reflective trim affixed by
sewing, adhesively, or otherwise to the shell of high visibility.
Preferably, when facing outwardly, the shell of low visibility
appears black, or at least dark, in ambient light. Alternatively,
when facing outwardly, the shell of low visibility displays
camouflage.
[0005] Preferably, except that the shell of low visibility does not
have reflective trim or any reflective or fluorescent portions, the
shells conform to National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
standards for outer shells of protective garments for firefighters.
Preferably, moreover, the shells are equal, or at least similar, in
basis weights.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] FIG. 1 is a front elevation of a protective coat embodying
this invention, as worn with its shell of high visibility facing
outwardly. FIG. 2 is a front elevation of the same coat, as worn
with its shell of low visibility facing outwardly. FIGS. 3 and 4
are cross-sections, as taken respectively along line 3-3 of FIG. 1
and along line 4-4 of FIG. 2, in directions indicated by
arrows.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENT
[0007] As illustrated, a protective coat 10 for a military or
paramilitary firefighter or emergency worker embodies this
invention and has a shell 20 of high visibility and a shell 30 of
low visibility. As contemplated by this invention, the shell 20 of
high visibility has several strips 40 of reflective trim, which the
shell 30 of low visibility does not have. Preferably, when facing
outwardly, the shell 30 of low visibility appears black, or at
least dark, in ambient light. Alternatively, when facing outwardly,
the shell 30 of low visibility displays camouflage.
[0008] Preferably, except that the shell 30 of low visibility does
not have reflective trim, the shells conform in weight, tear
strength, and other characteristics to National Fire Protection
Association (NFPA) standards for outer shells of protective
garments for firefighters. Preferably, moreover, the shells 20, 30,
are equal, or at least similar, in basis weights. A preferred
material for the shells 20, 30, is Nomex.TM. material having a
basis weight of nine ounces (9 oz.) per square yard, as available
commercially from E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company of
Wilmington, Del. Such material is available commercially in
patterns that display camouflage. Scotchlite.TM. reflective trim is
suitable, as available commercially from Minnesota Mining and
Manufacturing Company of St. Paul, Minn.
[0009] As illustrated, the protective coat 10 has between the
shells 20, 30, a layer 50 providing a moisture barrier. Along with
the layer 50 providing the moisture barrier, another layer or other
layers may be also provided between the shells 20, 30, such as a
layer providing thermal insulation. Although a protective coat is
illustrated, this invention may be also embodied in other
protective garments, such as trousers, overalls, and coveralls.
[0010] In a tactical operation, in which the need for low
visibility overrides the need for high visibility, a military or
paramilitary firefighter or emergency worker may wear the
protective coat 10 with the shell 30 of low visibility facing
outwardly. Otherwise, the firefighter or emergency worker may wear
the protective coat 10 with the shell 20 of high visibility facing
outwardly. If a tactical operation develops or is expected to
develop while a military or paramilitary firefighter or emergency
worker is wearing the protective garment 10 with the shell 20 of
high visibility facing outwardly, the firefighter or emergency
worker may have an opportunity to doff the protective coat 10,
reverse it, and re-don it with the shell 30 of low visibility
facing outwardly.
* * * * *