U.S. patent application number 10/709432 was filed with the patent office on 2005-11-10 for cooling garment for use with a bullet proof vest.
Invention is credited to Hayden, James Robert III, McCarter, Walter K..
Application Number | 20050246826 10/709432 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35238076 |
Filed Date | 2005-11-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050246826 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
McCarter, Walter K. ; et
al. |
November 10, 2005 |
COOLING GARMENT FOR USE WITH A BULLET PROOF VEST
Abstract
A garment for cooling a human being wearing a protective vest,
comprising a sheet of stretchable material with an inner surface
and an outer surface and a plurality of ridge-and-channel ribs
forming air channels on the inner surface directed generally toward
a wearer. The cooling garment further comprises a detachable air
exhaust fan and power supply. The garment may have two or more
connectable sections. The ribs are connected to the inner surface,
and are made of a moisture resistant material, such as
polyethylene. The sheet material is stretchable to conform to the
body contours to aid in the air flow through the air channels.
Inventors: |
McCarter, Walter K.;
(Colorado Springs, CO) ; Hayden, James Robert III;
(Colorado Springs, CO) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MALIN HALEY AND DIMAGGIO, PA
1936 S ANDREWS AVENUE
FORT LAUDERDALE
FL
33316
US
|
Family ID: |
35238076 |
Appl. No.: |
10/709432 |
Filed: |
May 5, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
2/458 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A41D 13/0053 20130101;
A41D 13/0025 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
002/458 |
International
Class: |
A41B 001/00; A41D
001/00 |
Claims
1. A cooling garment for a person wearing a protective vest,
comprising: a stretchable fabric body having an inner surface, an
outer surface and a plurality of substantially parallel raised ribs
forming a plurality of alternating elongated, parallel ridges and
air channels on said inner surface directed generally toward a
wearer; and a fan in communication with said air channels for
producing exhaust air flow drawing air out of the space between at
least two of the parallel ridges forming an air channel.
2. The garment of claim 1, wherein the garment comprises a
plurality of connectable front and back sections, each section
including a reflective surface material on the outer surface of the
garment for reflecting external sources of heat away from the body
of the wearer.
3. The garment of claim 1, wherein the ribs are intrinsic to the
inner surface.
4. The garment of claim 1, wherein the ribs comprise a moisture
resistant material, preferably comprised of elongated strips of
closed cell foam.
5. The garment of claim 4, wherein the garment body material
comprises a moisture resistant material, preferably a reflective
material having a water-resistant surface coating.
6. The garment of claim 4, wherein at least a portion of the
moisture resistant material comprising the ribs is stretchable.
7. The garment of claim 1, wherein the fan for creating negative
pressure within the air channels formed by the ribs of said garment
to produce exhaust air flow includes a power switch and a power
plug for an electrical outlet.
8. The garment of claim 7 further comprising a portable power
source in electrical connection with the fan.
9. The garment of claim 7, further comprising a quick disconnect
baffle connected to said fan for quick disconnect of said fan.
10. An air-cooled garment, comprising: a sheet of moisture
resistant material having an inner surface, an outer surface and a
plurality of generally moisture resistant ribs forming a plurality
of alternating elongated, parallel ridges and air channels on said
inner surface directed generally toward a wearer, wherein said
alternating ridge-and-channel ribs are adapted for allowing air
flow vertically through a top portion and a bottom portion of the
garment.
11. A cooling garment for wearing under a protective vest,
comprising: a sheet of material having an inner surface, an outer
surface and a plurality of generally parallel raised ribs forming a
plurality of alternating elongated, parallel ridges and air
channels on said inner surface directed generally toward a wearer;
and means for drawing air out of said garment from said air
channels.
12. The cooling garment of claim 11, wherein the sheet of material
of said cooling garment enhances the protective qualities of a
protective vest under which said cooling garment is worn.
13. The cooling garment of claim 11, wherein the sheet of material
is stretchable.
14. The cooling garment of claim 11, wherein the ridge-and-channel
ribs are generally flexible and water resistant.
15. The cooling garment of claim 11, further comprising a
quick-release for the means for drawing air.
Description
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates generally to a body cooling
garment, and, more particularly, to a garment that provides a
person wearing a bullet proof vest or other protective vest,
cooling air on the skin areas under the bullet proof vest.
[0003] 2. Description of Related Art
[0004] Bullet proof vests and other protective garments have become
a necessity for law enforcement and military personnel. These vests
are made of heavy duty, strong materials that insulate and
generally restrict air flow from the portions of the body which the
vests cover. The body protected areas are generally the chest, back
and sides. The vests tend to trap body heat and cause perspiration
to accumulate. The resulting body heating and wetness is
undesirable and uncomfortable to the wearer, and may cause the vest
to degrade and fail prematurely. The degradation is especially
dangerous to the wearer because the degradation is not obvious to a
wearer. The vest wearer can suffer dehydration and skin irritation
from the excessive sweating.
[0005] Air circulation devices for protective vests are known in
the art. However, they are bulky and inefficient. Furthermore, in
several embodiments they blow a positive volume of air through the
vest that can escape resulting in inefficiency. In addition, the
circulation devices tend to absorb unwanted moisture unnecessarily.
Furthermore, those circulation devices which are powered may not be
readily detached so that the wearer may move quickly to where the
wearer is needed.
[0006] In the prior art, U.S. Pat. No. 4,451,934 issued to Gioello
Jun. 5, 1984 shows a ribbed ventilating undergarment for protective
garments. This garment is bulky with large ribs and does not
provide an exhaust draw to remove perspiration.
[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 5,564,124 issued to Elsherif, et al. Oct. 15,
1996 shows a personal body ventilation system which uses a positive
air pressure blown over a large area with a fan. It does not show
individual channels and does not have a device for using exhaust
flow to remove perspiration.
[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 5,970,519 issued to Weber Oct. 26, 1999 shows
an air cooling garment for medical personnel. This device has a
plurality of tiny holes that release air that is blown into the
garment. It does not have effective channels for removing
perspiration or for separating the garment itself from the
skin.
[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 6,260,201 issued to Rankin Jul. 17, 2001 shows
a portable cooling device. This device uses a tubular effect that
has holes for moving the air. It does not provide channels to
separate the garment nor exhaust to remove perspiration.
[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 6,276,155 issued to Siman-Tov, et al. Aug. 21,
2001 shows a personal cooling apparatus and method and U.S. Pat.
No. 6,295,648 issued Oct. 2, 2001 to the same inventors disclose a
garment with an air moving device that uses positive pressure to
pump air around a central baffle ring at the base of the garment
which can be uncomfortable and cumbersome.
[0011] U.S. Pat. No. 6,596,019 issued to Turner, et al. Jul. 22,
2003 shows an apparel ventilation system for athletes that includes
an air system that has holes for expelling air flow.
[0012] None of the devices in the prior art show the use of a
garment that employs an air exhaust system, a plurality of raised
ribs on one side to direct and circulate exhaust air over the body
to aid in the removal of moisture, evaporation and cooling.
[0013] The present invention can be used with bullet proof vests,
ballistic clothing and other protective garments often used by law
enforcement and military personnel.
[0014] Therefore, what is needed in the art is a flexible, light
weight cooling garment which efficiently and effectively removes
heat and moisture from a wearer employing a portable, detachable
exhaust fan.
[0015] What is also needed is a cooling garment that fits beneath a
protective vest which is air cooled and efficient and effective in
the evaporation and removal of sweat.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0016] The present invention provides a cooling garment for cooling
a human being that is also wearing a protective vest such as a
bullet proof vest. The cooling garment comprises a thin sheet body
(shaped like a vest for the upper torso) with an inner surface, an
outer surface and a plurality of flexible raised ribs forming air
channels mounted on said inner surface directed generally toward
the wearer, and a fan for drawing air exhaust air from the air
channels mounted in fluid communication with the air chambers. The
shape of the garment is to cover the upper torso of a human being,
front, back and sides, and a shape that mimicks the shape of the
protective bullet proof vest worn outside the cooling garment. The
cooling garment fabric body includes a sturdy elastic fabric,
similar to that sold under the trademark Spandex, that stretches,
is thin and can have a water resistant aluminum colored outer
surface texture to reflect exterior heat. The stretchable fabric
causes the air channel protrusions to conform to the body contours.
The fan motor, the fan blades, the blade rotation and direction,
and a connectable baffle are all directed to draw out exhaust air
from the air channels. The cooling garment body air channel thin
protrusions or ribs are made of a lightweight, flexible, moisture
resistant material, such as polyethylene foam. The fan housing is
attached to the cooling garment at a location such as front and
middle by a detachable baffle for conducting negative air pressure
from the fan.
[0017] The negative air pressure (exhaust) created by the fan is
more effective in removing heat and perspiration in the air
channels. Positive air pressure would leak out of spaces and is
difficult to conduct through the many turns of the channels.
[0018] A power source such as a vehicle adaptor to connect to a
vehicle cigarette lighter plug or a portable battery pack
electrically connects with the fan. Furthermore, the fan and fan
housing has a quick disconnect baffle from the garment air exhaust
port because the fan and power source disconnect together at the
baffle. The air flow through the back garment is connected to the
fan by a continuation of air channels passing under the arms or
over the shoulders.
[0019] In yet still another embodiment, the garment could be
constructed without the fan. The garment body would comprise a
thin, flexible sheet of material having an inner surface, an outer
surface and a plurality of generally moisture resistant protrusions
forming air flow channels on said inner surface directed generally
toward a wearer, wherein the protrusions are adapted for allowing
air flow through a top portion and a bottom portion of the garment
front, back and sides.
[0020] The cooling garment could be integrated into a bullet proof
vest or other ballistic vest to function as a single garment.
[0021] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to
provide a garment for use with and under a bullet proof or
protective vest which efficiently and effectively cools the
user.
[0022] It is another object of the invention to provide a cooling
garment for a protective vest that is efficient and effective in
the removal of moisture and heat with exhaust air.
[0023] In accordance with these and other objects which will become
apparent hereinafter, the instant invention will now be described
with particular reference to the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0024] FIG. 1A shows an elevational view of the inside surface of
the front section of the invention that is worn on a human chest
area.
[0025] FIG. 1B shows an elevational view of the outside surface of
the front section of the invention shown in FIG. 1A.
[0026] FIG. 2A shows an elevational view of the inside surface of
the back section of the invention worn on the back of a person.
[0027] FIG. 2B shows an elevational view of the outside surface of
the back section of the invention shown in FIG. 2A.
[0028] FIG. 3 shows a cross sectional view along line 3-3 of FIG.
2A of the invention.
[0029] FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a user using the
preferred embodiment of the invention.
[0030] FIG. 5A shows a perspective front view of the fan, fan
housing and a partial cutaway view of the baffle used in the
invention.
[0031] FIG. 5B shows a rear perspective view of the fan, fan
housing and baffle connector.
[0032] FIG. 6 shows a side elevational view, partially in cross
section of the fan, fan housing, baffle and garment port.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0033] With reference to the drawings, FIGS. 1A and 1B show the
inside and outside of the chest cover section of the garment body
respectively of the invention 10. The use of a tee shirt under the
cooling garment is preferred for wicking perspiration. As shown in
FIGS. 1A and 1B, the cooling garment comprises a chest cover
section that has an inside surface shown in FIG. 1A as section 12
having a thin, flexible fabric body 18 made of a stretchable fabric
and a plurality of raised, straight and curved, elongated
protrusions 24 made of flexible closed cell foam that are glued
and/or sewn on one side of the fabric body 18. The adjacent raised
protrusions 24 are arranged somewhat parallel to form individual
air channels 19, 21 and 23. A fabric baffle area 34 at the base of
the chest section 12 connects the air channels together in air flow
to the fan intake and is located on the side opposite the fan
intake as shown in FIG. 1B. Garment air exhaust port inlet 40a is
connected to a fan not shown in FIG. 1B. The size of the cooling
garment is adjustable to a specific person by trimming the length
of the areas that fit under the arms and that are connectable using
hook and pile fasteners 22a. A raised protrusion 54 forms the
bottom channel barrier to contain exhaust air in cloth baffle
34.
[0034] Referring now to FIG. 1B, the outside surface of the chest
section 12 is shown that includes a reflective surface material 17
that reflects heat coming from outside. The bottom of chest panel
12 includes an exhaust port 40 having inlet 40a that connects
removeably to a fan baffle and electrical fan and housing that
draws air from the air channels. The fan exhaust port 40 exhausts
air outwardly, drawing air and perspiration from the interior
channels 19, 21 and 23, especially as shown in FIG. 1A, into the
fan housing and venting the exhaust air out to the ambient air. The
fan, fan switch and power source are explained below. The chest
section 12 also includes hook and loop fasteners 22 on each lateral
end that allow the cooling garment to be attached to the back
section or panel that is shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B. The air channels
in the back of the garment are connected to the air channels in the
chest section forming the entire cooling garment comprising the
front panel 12 and the back panel 14.
[0035] Referring now to FIG. 2A, the inside surface of the back
section panel 14 of the cooling garment that is worn on the
person"s back area is shown. The back section 14 includes a
plurality of somewhat parallel raised projections 24 arranged both
straight and curved that form and continue the air passages or
channels 19, 21 and 23 that connect with the front section 12. The
back section 14 air passages are subject to exhaust negative
pressure from a fan along the skin area of the wearer or along a
tee shirt. The outside surface of the back section 14 (FIG. 2B)
includes a reflective material 20 that acts to reflect heat away
from the entire device from the ambient air and to prevent sweat
from accumulating on a bullet proof vest worn over the cooling
garment. The back section 14 also includes hook and loop fasteners
22a that engage the fasteners on the front section or chest section
12 (FIGS. 1A and 1B) so that the front section 12 and the back
section 14 together when joined together by the hook and pile
fasteners 22a form a cooling garment that covers the front chest
and the back torso area of a person wearing the garment against his
or her skin or preferably against a plain cotton tee shirt. The tee
shirt can wick perspiration. The cooling garment is worn under a
protective, ballistic or shrapnel vest and, typically, a shirt.
Because the cooling garment is made of fabric similar to a fabric
sold under the trademark Spandex, the fabric stretches and using
the hook and loop fasteners, the garment can be adjusted and
stretched on the torso of the wearer in such a way that the fabric
generally conforms to the body contours. The air channels such as
passages 19, 21 and 23 allow air to be transferred to the fan
exhaust to remove perspiration and warm air adjacent the skin area
of the wearer. The round protrusions 24 (FIG. 3) allow the surfaces
on the upper portion of the protrusions to engage the body (or tee
shirt) to form somewhat sealed passages to allow air flow to do its
job cooling the person. The tee shirt, if worn, offers more surface
area to aid in the sweat evaporation by wicking.
[0036] Referring now to FIG. 3, a cross section of the back section
14 of the cooling garment as shown in FIG. 2A through line 3-3
displays the protrusions 24 that are glued and/or sewn to the back
section of fabric body 14 with glue 24a. or thread 24b. Channel or
passage 19 is shown on one side of fabric 18. Element 20 is the
reflective water resistant vinyl surface coating on the outside of
the fabric 18. Fabric 18 fits around the back torso area of a human
being. The air passage spaces between adjacent raised protrusions
24 can be varied at the factory but are preferably between an inch
and two and a half inches apart and are substantially parallel but
can be curved around various portions of the body for comfort and
for best results in the air flow in each passage. Each protrusion
24 can be one fourth inch or more high. Note that each protrusion
24 is made of an elongated flexible closed cell foam strip that
does not absorb moisture. Each protrusion may be covered with
additional surface coating to prevent moisture absorption so that
sweat can be exhausted by the air flow through the cooling
garment.
[0037] Referring now to FIG. 4, a law enforcement officer 42 is
shown wearing the cooling garment 12 beneath a uniform. The fan 30
is visible and exposed for quick disconnect. The fan duct and
cooling garment port are beneath the shirt in the central portion
of the body. Also, the power source such as a battery pack 44 may
be put in a pocket or connected to the belt. Using the present
invention, a law enforcement officer 42 as shown in FIG. 4 can
receive cooling air that exhausts perspiration while still wearing
the bullet proof vest or other protective vest underneath a shirt
42a. If the outer shirt 42a is not worn or a short waist shirt is
worn, the fan and fan duct would be visible along with the battery
pack.
[0038] FIGS. 5A, 5B and FIG. 6 show the fan blades 28, a fan motor
28a mounted in fan housing 30 and a connectable exhaust baffle 36a
that connects to the cooling garment at the baffle inlet 36 to
garment port 40. The baffle inlet 36 is detachable from port outlet
40a and is shaped elliptically for more efficient air flow and size
reduction for the comfort of the wearer. The exhaust baffle 36a is
elliptically shaped and connects to the fan housing 30, The fan
blades 28 are turned by the fan motor 28a. The direction of
rotation of the fan blades 28 is such so that the fan exhausts air
out into the ambient air. The fan action lowers air pressure by
drawing air from the air channels (19, 21 and 23) that are adjacent
the skin area of the wearer.
[0039] Referring now to FIG. 6, the baffle 36a connected to fan
housing 30 can be separated at the inlet 36 from the cooling
garment port opening 40a when not in use. The port 40 is the
elliptically shaped duct that is connected directly to the cooling
garment which allows air communication between the passageways of
the cooling garment and the fan housing 30. The port outlet at 40a
allows the fan housing 30 and power source and switch to be
completely removed quickly if the person wearing the cooling
garment needs to pursue someone or for any other reason wishes to
become disengaged from the fan housing 30. The front panel 12 is
connected to the port duct 40 along flat port duct panel 38
integrally molded to the port duct 40. The panel 38 is glued to
fabric 18 by glue 60. The fabric 18 forms the body of front (chest)
panel 12. Battery pack 44 holds batteries 46 and 48. The battery
pack 44 is connected electrically to fan motor 28a through
electrical on/off switch 50 by wires 52. In lieu of battery power,
the fan motor could be plugged into a vehicle cigarette lighter
plug when the cooling garment is used by law enforcement or other
personnel in a vehicle.
[0040] In an alternate embodiment, there may be environments where
because of the outside air temperatures, a fan, battery and switch
may not be necessary wherein the air passages or channels could be
vented to the ambient air by opening each passage at the top and
bottom edge of the cooling garment in front and back which allows
air flow from ambient air to proceed into the air passages with the
top and bottom of the cooling garment front and back being exposed
to the ambient air.
[0041] The present invention may include alternate embodiments
wherein the cooling garment could be used for cooling the chest
area only with a fan and a front panel covering the chest excluding
the back area. In another embodiment, the cooling garment could
cool the back area of the individual only with a fan. The back
cooling garment with a fan could be worn separately as could the
front or chest cooling garment with the fan.
[0042] The primary purpose of the invention is for use with what is
conventionally known as a bullet proof vest, ballistic vest,
shrapnel vest or protective vest. One aspect of the invention is
that the cooling garment actually has a synergistic effect when
used with a bullet proof vest or any other protective ballistic or
shrapnel type vest in that by using the cooling garment, the impact
of a bullet or shrapnel striking the cooling garment could also be
reduced thereby improving the overall performance of the protective
garment as well as having the wearer be cooled at the same time.
The closed cellular foam used with the present invention is to be
lightweight, somewhat rigid but flexible and not absorb moisture
such as perspiration. It could be made out of several different
types of plastic foam including polyurethane and polyethylene.
[0043] The cooling garment could be worn by itself for cooling
purposes for athletic events or in any other type of environment
that demands cooling where some type of over garment would be worn.
In certain climates, it may not be necessary to have a fan and in
such cases the back and front of the garment would be vented to the
ambient air to allow a flow of air by convection through the
garment and allowing the air to escape near the top portion of the
garment on each side of the individual.
[0044] The cooling garment works through the flow of air over the
skin or preferably a tee shirt that can wick perspiration with the
air picking up the moisture and transferring moisture and heat
through the exhaust of the fan outboard drawing the air from the
lower back portion with the full garment around to the front
portion where the fan exhausts the heated moist air.
[0045] Different types of protective garments are known that could
be called ballistic protective garments, bullet resistant vests,
shrapnel vests or any type of protective vest. The present
invention could be integrated into a bullet resistant or bullet
proof vest or other protective garment such that the cooling
channels would be mounted on the inside of the protective garment
as described in the specification.
[0046] The instant invention has been shown and described herein in
what is considered to be the most practical and preferred
embodiment. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made
therefrom within the scope of the invention and that obvious
modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art.
* * * * *