U.S. patent application number 12/476700 was filed with the patent office on 2009-12-10 for tan-through sunglasses.
This patent application is currently assigned to Kroll Family Trust. Invention is credited to Lori C. Kroll, Mark W. Kroll.
Application Number | 20090300819 12/476700 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 27043793 |
Filed Date | 2009-12-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090300819 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kroll; Lori C. ; et
al. |
December 10, 2009 |
Tan-Through Sunglasses
Abstract
The basic object of this invention is the use of light selective
materials and fabrics to increase the utility of a garment or
sports article. The invention is the novel idea that light
selective materials and fabrics can radically improve the
usefulness, pleasure, and appeal obtained from sportswear and other
garments. Examples taught include life vests, ski vests, ski pants,
ski helmet/hat, and sunglasses.
Inventors: |
Kroll; Lori C.; (Crystal
Bay, MN) ; Kroll; Mark W.; (Crystal Bay, MN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
VIDAS, ARRETT & STEINKRAUS, P.A.
SUITE 400, 6640 SHADY OAK ROAD
EDEN PRAIRIE
MN
55344
US
|
Assignee: |
Kroll Family Trust
Simi Valley
CA
|
Family ID: |
27043793 |
Appl. No.: |
12/476700 |
Filed: |
June 2, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11856003 |
Sep 14, 2007 |
7540605 |
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12476700 |
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11197791 |
Aug 4, 2005 |
7270411 |
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11856003 |
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10832841 |
Apr 26, 2004 |
6968574 |
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11197791 |
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10083844 |
Feb 25, 2002 |
6854844 |
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10832841 |
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09680484 |
Oct 6, 2000 |
6350168 |
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10083844 |
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09472495 |
Dec 27, 1999 |
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09680484 |
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08927243 |
Sep 11, 1997 |
6007395 |
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09472495 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
2/93 ; 2/102;
2/159; 2/171; 2/227 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A41D 13/0125 20130101;
A61N 2005/0645 20130101; A41D 2400/28 20130101; A41D 2400/14
20130101; A61N 5/0614 20130101; B63C 9/125 20130101; B63C 9/20
20130101; A41D 31/065 20190201; A41D 2400/26 20130101; A61N 5/06
20130101; G02C 7/108 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
2/93 ; 2/227;
2/171; 2/102; 2/159 |
International
Class: |
A41D 3/02 20060101
A41D003/02; A41D 1/06 20060101 A41D001/06; A42B 1/04 20060101
A42B001/04; A41D 1/04 20060101 A41D001/04; A41D 19/00 20060101
A41D019/00 |
Claims
1-20. (canceled)
21. A garment made from a first material, the first material being
at least partially translucent to at least one spectrum of
electromagnetic radiation, the first material being selected from
the group consisting of polyvinylidene fluoride, cellulosic
plastics, copolyester ethers, and polyamide polymers.
22. The garment of claim 21 wherein the cellulosic plastic is
Tenite.RTM..
23. The garment of claim 21, wherein the copolyester ether is
Ecdel.RTM..
24. The garment of claim 21, the garment being selected from the
group consisting of pants, vests, coats, jackets, hats, gloves.
25. The garment of claim 21, the first material a layer of the
garment.
26. The garment of claim 21, the first material being woven or
knitted.
27. A garment, the garment being transparent to UV-A radiation and
transparent to UV-B radiation.
28. The garment of claim 27, further being opaque to visible
light.
29. The garment of claim 27, further being opaque to infrared
radiation.
30. The garment of claim 27, further being transparent to infrared
radiation.
31. The garment of claim 27, the garment being selected from the
group consisting of pants, vests, coats, jackets, hats, gloves.
32. A garment, the garment being opaque to UV-A radiation, opaque
to UV-B radiation, and transparent to visible light.
33. The garment of claim 32, further being transparent to infrared
radiation.
34. The garment of claim 32, further being opaque to infrared
radiation.
35. The garment of claim 32, the garment being selected from the
group consisting of pants, vests, coats, jackets, hats, gloves.
Description
CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of application Ser. No.
11/197,791 filed on Aug. 4, 2005 for "LIGHT SELECTIVE SPORTS
GARMENTS now U.S. Pat. No. ______; which is a division of U.S. Ser.
No. 10/832,841 filed on Apr. 26, 2004 for "LIGHT SELECTIVE SPORTS
GARMENTS" now U.S. Pat. No. 6,968,574; which is a division of U.S.
Ser. No. 10/083,844 filed on Feb. 25, 2002 for a "LIGHT SELECTIVE
SPORTS GARMENTS" now U.S. Pat. No. 6,854,844; which is a
continuation-in-part of U.S. Ser. No. 09/680,484 filed Oct. 6, 2000
for "LIGHT SELECTIVE GARMENTS", now U.S. Pat. No. 6,350,168; which
is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Ser. No. 09/472,495 filed Dec.
27, 1999 for a "SUN TANNING LIFE VEST", 1999, now abandoned; which
is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Ser. No. 08/927,243 filed Sep.
11, 1997 for a "SUN TANNING LIFE VEST", now U.S. Pat. No.
6,007,395; all of which are incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] People are encouraged to wear life jackets when they are
engaged in water sports such a water-skiing, boating, or
jet-skiing. However, the same individuals are usually interested in
an even suntan. When someone wears a traditional life jacket the
area under the life jacket receives no tan and the other areas are
very darkly tanned leaving embarrassing lines between the two
regions.
[0003] Clothing, especially bathing suits, is now available that
allows the passage of ultraviolet radiation to facilitate a full
body suntan. However, no one has taught a practical lifevest that
will transmit ultraviolet rays to give an even tan.
[0004] There is another issue--aesthetics. An individual may not
wish to cover up their body or swimsuit with a light-blocking life
vest. Thus, there is a need for a safe and practical life vest that
would allow the passage of visible light.
[0005] Snow skiers and mountain climbers could also benefit from
light selective articles. Garments that would pass heat-carrying
ultra-violet radiation but block the loss of the body's infrared
radiation would be very useful. Alternatively, garments that would
pass visible light would be attractive for the style conscious
resort skier that wished to show off their underjacket
garments.
[0006] In spite of the numerous possible uses for light selective
sport garments there have been none taught beyond the famous light
transmitting swimsuit invention of Reidel (U.S. Pat. No.
5,518,798). Reidel's fabric is actually not light transparent but
based on the clever trick of a very loose fabric hexagonal weave)
so that only 1/3 of the skin is covered. Camouflage patterns on the
suit then provide privacy by preventing the discernment of small
physical features. Bortnick (U.S. Pat. No. 4,546,493) taught
another swimsuit approach with a conventional rectangular weave but
with coated fibers.
[0007] Other mentions of light passage in garments have been
directed essentially to novelties. Danzy (U.S. Pat. No. 5,960,476)
teaches a transparent patch in part of a garment to better display
tattoos. Jones (U.S. Pat. No. 4,834,688) teaches a transparent
pouch sewn onto a T-shirt to hold, for example, a liquid appearing
like beer. Wheeler (U.S. Pat. No. 5,007,109) teaches what is
essentially sunglasses attached to a cap.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The basic object of this invention is the use of light
selective materials and fabrics to increase the utility of a
garment or sports article. The invention is the novel idea that
light selective materials and fabrics can radically improve the
usefulness, pleasure, and appeal obtained from sportswear and other
garments.
[0009] To illustrate the broad applications of this concept the
following Table I may be useful by depicting a few examples:
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE I Sample Uses of the Invention Gas Light
wavelengths Infrared Visible UV-A UV-B Filler Tan-Thru .TM. life
vest optional Block Pass Block Yes Fast-Tan .TM. life vest optional
Block Pass Pass Yes See-Thru .TM. life vest optional Pass Block
Block Yes See & Tan-Thru .TM. optional Pass Pass Block Yes life
vest Greenhouse .TM. Ski Vest Block Block Pass optional optional
Show-Me .TM. Ski Vest Block Pass optional optional No Air-Bag .TM.
ski pants optional Pass optional optional Yes
[0010] For a Tan-Thru life vest one would prefer to transmit UV-A
for the skin tanning properties but to limit the UV-B. The visible
light is blocked for reasons of modesty and consumer choice. For
the infrared radiation, we have two choices which can actually
correspond to two different products. For colder and cloudy weather
we would want to hold the infrared radiation within the body so we
would block it to keep the wearer as warm as possible. This also
reduces cancer risk as infrared can be carcinogenic. For sunny but
chilly weather, when there is more infrared from the sun, we may
wish to transmit this infrared heat to warm the user short-term.
All of the life vests are either permanently or temporarily filled
with a gas (including air or a foam material) to provide
flotation.
[0011] For the Fast-Tan.TM. life vest, the UV-B would also be
passed as the UV-B is a strong promoter of melanization. For the
See-Thru.TM. life vest, the visible light is passed but both of the
UV wavelengths are blocked. The infrared treatment is optional as
discussed above. For the See & Tan-Thru.TM. life vest both
visible and UV-A light are transmitted but the UV-B is blocked.
[0012] The Greenhouse.TM. snow-ski vest (alternatively a coat with
full length sleeves) would transmit UV-A as it provides high energy
heating at high altitudes. The warm body then attempts to
retransmit infrared (being of lower temperature than the sun and
hence giving off lower frequency photons) which is blocked. Visible
light is blocked to allow for the more modest consumer. The UV-B
passage is optional. Blocking this reduces ultraviolet damage to
light sensitive clothing beneath the vest. Gas filling is optional
as it presents more insulation but also more bulk. Note that a
single layer of UV-A passing material, that blocks IR, can warm the
user without any gas filling being required.
[0013] The Show-Me.TM. ski vest or jacket passes visible light to
allow the wearer to reveal clothing or physique beneath. The
infrared is blocked to retain heat. The UV-A passage is optional
depending on the amount of warming desired. No gas filler is
indicated for this device.
[0014] The Air-Bag.TM. snow ski pants are gas filled. They offer
light weight warmth and cushioning for falls. They protect the hips
from falls as air is a very good shock absorber. They would pass
visible light to prevent apparent bulk. Other light wavelength
passage choices are optional.
[0015] It should be clear from the above samples that this
invention presents a major new avenue in sport garments. The chart
gives seven samples. However, if one were to amplify on this by
considering more possible choices, the number of possibilities are
impressive. For example, with the five choices of light wavelength
transmission and gas filling there are 32=2*2*2*2*2 combinations.
There are many choices for the garment or sport article to apply
this invention to. Just counting the following: life vest, snow ski
vest, snow ski jacket, snow ski pants, hat, gloves, umbrella, and
tent gives 10 choices. Multiplying the 10 choices by the 32
combinations gives us 320 illustrations of this invention. The
reader will appreciate that it is not necessary to list every one
of these applications.
[0016] Beyond that flexibility, there are choices and materials
that would divide the various light frequencies into different
bands. For example, one might pass the lower frequency part of UV-B
(310-320 nm wavelength) while blocking the more dangerous UV-B
which has the 290-310 nm wavelengths. This would allow stimulation
of tanning without the higher cancer risk of the full UV-B
band.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a life vest embodiment of the
invention, which is continuously inflated.
[0018] FIG. 2 shows the side view of the continuously inflated life
vest embodiment.
[0019] FIG. 3 shows a plan view of the acutely inflating life vest
embodiment of the invention.
[0020] FIG. 4 shows details of the emergency inflating version.
[0021] FIG. 5 shows the details of the rapid inflation
mechanism.
[0022] FIG. 6 shows details of the manually inflating hybrid
version.
[0023] FIG. 7 shows details of a full emergency system with whistle
and flashers.
[0024] FIG. 8 shows system with multiple chambers with protective
valves.
[0025] FIG. 9 shows the foolproof mechanism for gas cylinder
installation.
[0026] FIG. 10 shows the embodiment of an integral coarse weave
fabric to minimize the stickiness of the inside of the clothing
embodiments.
[0027] FIG. 11 shows textural solutions to the stickiness
problem.
[0028] FIG. 12 shows the foam used in one embodiment of the
invention.
[0029] FIG. 13 shows the use of crotch straps for further securing
the life vest to the body.
[0030] FIG. 14 shows the use of gas pockets distinct from the
outside fabric.
[0031] FIG. 15 shows the "Air-Bag" inflated pants embodiment.
[0032] FIG. 16 shows the tan-through sun glasses embodiment.
[0033] FIG. 17 shows the snow boarder gas filled hat.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0034] FIG. 1 shows one embodiment of the present invention. Here a
lifevest 10 is made using a film that is translucent to ultraviolet
light. A good example of such a film is polyvinylidene fluoride.
PVDF is distinctive among polymers in that rather than degrading
from ultraviolet light it actually gets stronger by cross-linking.
An oriented PVDF film is a good transmitter of ultraviolet (UV)
light and can have a transmittance as high as 85%-90%.
[0035] Other useful materials include Ecdel from Eastman Chemical
Company of Tennessee, TPX of Mitsui Plastic's Inc. of Japan, Teflon
of DuPont Engineering Polymers, and Tenite of Eastman Chemical
Company of Tennessee. Another suitable material would be a light
stabilized polyamide based material. Such a light stabilized
material is available from Allied Signal Incorporated of
Morristown, N.J.
[0036] The practitioner in the art can find many useful references
to assist in the choice of an appropriate material or fabric. For
example, a material that will transmit visible and UV light but
block infrared is taught in Allingham, et al. Mutzhas and Longstaff
each teach appropriate materials for transmitting UV-A (lower
frequency ultra-violet) and violet (visible). The following
discussion of some of these material choices is liberally taken
from them.
[0037] Polymers passing solar radiation, yet blocking infra-red
radiation, can begin with a matrix of polyethylene or a copolymer
in which polyethylene predominates, containing a sufficient
quantity of a metaphosphate of a metal chosen from among group 1 to
3 of the periodic table. The addition of certain phosphates, and
especially metaphosphates does not perceptibly impair the
transmission of solar radiation, but changes in a very pronounced
manner the transmission of infra-red radiation.
[0038] If the polyethylene or polyethylene copolymers have a finely
dispersed phosphate ion (such as PO.sub.4..sup.-3) it will have a
strong absorption in the IR region, while being substantially
transparent in the visible range. The phosphates used are typically
insoluble forms of sodium- potassium- calcium- or
aluminum-metaphosphate. The quantity of these incorporated in the
polymeric matrix may be varied between 1 and 20 percent by weight,
the preferred range being 3 to 10 percent by weight. The preferred
polyethylene is low density polyethylene or copolymers of ethylene
with vinyl acetate. The insoluble forms of the above metaphosphates
can be blended with a granulate of polyethylene by standard
industrial processes, such as milling or double screw extrusion.
The material can be blow-extruded and the resulting films have good
mechanical strength. Experiments have shown that films of low
density polyethylene containing from 5 to 10 percent by weight of
sodium metaphosphate, or of potassium metaphosphate have good
mechanical properties; they are substantially transparent to solar
radiation, yet absorb at least 80 percent of infrared
radiation.
[0039] Metaphosphates, or polymethaphosphates of aluminum, calcium,
barium, etc. may also be suitable.
[0040] For the Tan-Thru.TM. embodiment the plastics material, which
preferable is a thermo-plastic material or acrylic resin in the
form of either a thin film or woven or knitted material, should
exhibit the property of being transparent to long wave UV-A
radiation of wavelengths between 320 and 400 nm and to visible
light in the range between 400 and 450 nm which are those
particularly associated with immediate pigment tanning. In
addition, the visible light associated within the range 450-700 nm
and a major portion of the IR wavelengths greater than 700 nm are
absorbed.
[0041] Suitable materials are resins of vinyl chloride, polyolefins
such as polyethylene and polypropylene, or acrylic resins such as
polymethyl-methacrylate. The vinyl chloride resins referred to are
homopolymers or copolymers of vinyl chloride and such resins may,
in addition, contain plasticizers preferably of phathallate esters.
Copolymers such as polyethylene/vinyl acetate and butadiene/styrene
would also suffice. A preferred material is a plasticized polyvinyl
chloride film of thickness between 100 and 300 microns, for
example, 175 microns, and this may be a single film or a laminate
formed with a reinforcing nylon or polyester net to give greater
physical strength.
[0042] Whichever of the resins is used, it should not have a
significant absorption, i.e., greater than 30%, of radiation of
wavelengths between 310 and 450 nm. The resin should also be
light-stable and non-volatile at the relatively high temperatures
used in extrusion or callendering (i.e. about
150.degree.-200.degree. C.). Because these resins are transparent
to substantially all of the available energy in the UV-A and UV-B
wavelengths and most of the visible and IR spectrum, additional
agents described below need to be added to the formulations to
selectively filter the wave bands of light previously mentioned in
order to achieve the desired effects.
[0043] As an alternative to rigid or plasticized thermoplastic
film, a woven or knitted fabric preferably of nylon or polyester
filaments may be used. A suitable support material is the polyester
polyethylene terephthalate. Care must be taken to ensure that the
particular cross-section of the fiber, the number of fibers per
element and the orientation of the fiber in the woven or knitted
fabric does not cause excessive light reflection or defraction. One
example is ICI polyester.
[0044] A second fabric alternative to rigid film would be
Tietex.RTM. 18 gauge warp-knitted polyester. This particular fabric
has highly organized linear orientated fibers which minimizes light
detraction and encourages high general light transmission.
[0045] Because these polyesters have a high UV-B absorbing capacity
in their own right, i.e. without additional UV absorbing agents,
only those agents imparting visible and IR absorption need be added
to create an ideal sunscreen.
[0046] The agent used typically in the rigid or plasticized film to
achieve UV-B leakage in the range of 310-320 nm is
ethylhexyl-p-methoxycinnamate at a weight concentration of 0.05%,
when the film thickness is between 100-300 microns. For the same
film, pigments such as Microlith Violet B-K, Cromoptal Blue A3R
(Ciba-Geigy) and PV Carmine HF4C (Hoescht) at a concentration of
0.1% w/w provide ideal visible light absorption as well as
imparting attractive coloration, and a heat sink comprising thermal
black (finely divided carbon black) at a concentration of for
example, 0.5% w/w, to absorb IR radiation. Film compounded from
plasticized PVC and containing the above ingredients serves to
transmit 20% UV-B in the wavelength range 310-320 nm, but excludes
substantially all UV-B in the range 290-310 nm.
[0047] Similar levels of UV-B irradiance in the range 310-320 nm
would be achieved by deployment of the previously described fiber
fabrics, suitably surface printed or dyed with disperse dyes such
as Dispersol Red B2-B at 2.25% w/w concentration. Infra-red may be
absorbed by carbon black as previously described or reflected by
titanium dioxide.
[0048] The life vest embodiment is made by having vertical
separating walls 12, which break the vest into chambers 14. Each
chamber 14 is filled with ultraviolet transmitting gas such as
carbon dioxide or air or nitrogen among many others.
[0049] A molded plastic zipper 16 is used to secure the vest to the
subject. Other methods of securement could be used as well. Straps
to go around the back or crotch straps 200 (see FIG. 14) would also
be acceptable. They preferably would be made of an oriented PVDF or
other UV transmissive materials.
[0050] The vest in FIG. 1 shows one embodiment for an over-the-neck
type of life jacket. The same idea of the invention could easily be
applied to a traditional vest type that goes all around the back
without departing from the spirit of the invention. This is shown
is later figures.
[0051] FIG. 2 shows a side view of the cells of the invention as
shown in FIG. 1. Bulkhead walls 12 again are separating the vest
and the chambers 14 from each other which are each filled with the
inert gas.
[0052] FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of the present invention that
inflates only in response to water immersion. This "acute"
embodiment uses a compressed carbon dioxide reservoir 18, which is
triggered by the water sensor 20 to release the carbon dioxide into
the vest to inflate it. Other compressed gases could be used as
well.
[0053] This vest would be very comfortable and lightweight for
subjects and yet would inflate instantly upon immersion in water.
Even if the material is not 100% transmissive to the ultraviolet
light, one can match the transmission by using the appropriate
degree of sunblock on the exposed limbs. For example, one might use
a 4 or 6 level sunblock on the arms to avoid having any contrasting
tans.
[0054] FIG. 4 shows a more detailed version of the inflatable
embodiment of the invention. The vest has manual inflation straws
40 as well as emergency inflation handle 62. The emergency
inflation handles 62 allows the gas from the CO.sub.2 cartridge 54
to immediately fill the vest. A spare CO.sub.2 cartridge 56 can
also be incorporated in the vest. Item 57 is an automatic inflation
means. This system works by either sensing the water electrically
or through a fast chemical solution to allow the CO.sub.2 to be
injected into the vest. The closure 60 needs to be strong enough to
hold 1600 newtons of force (360 lb.) alone or through the combined
strength of multiple closures.
[0055] Passive intrinsic flotation means 46 are an alternative also
included in the vest. These can be made of light transmissive foam.
The vest includes very reliable securement means to pull the two
sides of the vest across the users chest 60 along with a retainer
58 for each adjustable closure 60 to prevent it from being easily
removed. All corners 42 are rounded to prevent irritation or
cutting of the user and edges 44 are heat sealed to prevent
leakage.
[0056] FIG. 5 shows the details of the rapid CO.sub.2 inflator. The
system 70 has an indicator 72 to indicate whether the system is
ready to use or not. The 12-gram CO.sub.2 cartridge 76 is inserted
into an insert 74. The handle 78 is jerked to instantly
inflate.
[0057] FIG. 6 shows more details of a deluxe embodiment of the
invention. It begins with an inflated collar 80 to help right the
wearer in the water. The passive inflation mechanism 82 is shown in
four locations: the top and bottom of the vest and the left and
right sides. Each mechanism 82 has a non-toxic mouthpiece 114 and a
deflation squeeze bulb 112. Each is bonded to the vest with a
transparent collar 108.
[0058] The vest may have passive flotation elements, which are
merely a sealed gas such as the pockets 88 or of transmissive foam
such as those in pockets 104. An integral pump 90 can be used if
someone would rather squeeze with their hands then to blow air into
the device.
[0059] Pressure release valve 84 found on each side of the vest is
to release excessive pressure from a CO.sub.2 malfunction,
excessive manual inflation followed by high temperature, or someone
jumping on the vest. This would allow enough air to leak out to
prevent damage to the vest. The seams 94 are sewn to meet the Class
300 lockstitch level to meet federal standard 751.
[0060] FIG. 7 gives details of the embodiment of the invention
optimized to enhance the rescue of the wearer. The automatic
inflation causes the mast 142 to inflate which positions flashing
light 120 above the head of the wearer. This also positions
metalized flat surface 122 above the head of the wearer to better
reflect radar. Incorporated in the light 122 could also be an ELT
beacon or automatically operated cell phone to generate a distress
call. Conventional strobe light 124 or glowing light 140 are shown
as alternative embodiments to be attached to the main part of the
vest. Whistle 126 is also available for the wearer's use. Pockets
127 can be used by the wearer to store emergency supplies or keys.
Pocket 128 holds a long fluorescent colored ribbon to further aid
in the rescue of the wearer. A first aid kit 136 could be included
as well as cell phone 134 and patch repair kit 132.
[0061] The automatic inflation as well as the permanently inflated
PFD chambers have integral fluid which is not hard in the presence
of CO.sub.2 but hardens very quickly in the presence of oxygen or
nitrogen. Thus if any leak were detected these would be
self-sealing. This would be especially true along the stitch cracks
of the stitching 130. This self-healing fluid would not work with
breathing inflation as the oxygen and nitrogen from the breath
would initiate the sealing process.
[0062] FIG. 8 shows means of allowing a single path of inflation
means or pressurized gas means to inflate the vest and yet maintain
integrity of the multiple chambers. With this design there is a
bi-leaflet reed valve 150 between a pressurized supply chamber and
the receiving chamber. This allows the flow of the gas from the
pressurized source to all chambers. However, if one of the chambers
develops a leak it will not discharge all of the chambers. For
example if the primary chamber 1 develops a leak it will only
discharge itself.
[0063] If, in a worse case situation, one of the third level
chambers were to be punctured and completely deflate, it would
deflate itself as well as the second level chamber that fed it and
the first level chamber. However, this is only 3 of the 9 chambers
lost due to the severe deflation on the one chamber and is much
preferable to having the whole system deflated.
[0064] In the alternative a valve system could go by hose from the
pressure and gas source to each one of the individual chambers.
This would ensure that the deflation of no chamber could interfere
with its neighbors. However, this adds expense and weight and makes
transmissibility of visible and ultraviolet light more
problematical.
[0065] FIG. 9 shows the detail of the fail-safe mechanism for the
water sensitive element. If the water sensitive element 158 is not
fully inserted into the sensor mechanism 162 then the hole 160 will
not be able to allow the insertion of the CO.sub.2 cartridge.
[0066] FIG. 10 shows the detail of a rough mesh backing to improve
wearer comfort. The back of the vest 180 is covered with a very
coarse mesh 182 to allow for some air circulation and to decrease
the uncomfortable stickiness of the vest.
[0067] FIG. 11a, b, and c show alternative backings to reduce the
discomfort from the plastic adhering to the skin. In FIG. 11a, rib
design 184 has a structure to keep the backside of the vest off of
the skin. This allows some circulation of the air from top to
bottom through the vest. In FIG. 11b, crosshatched design 186
reduces the area of the vest that is in direct contact with the
skin but does not allow any airflow. In FIG. 11c, dimpled design
188 is the preferred approach as it allows airflow in both
directions under the vest.
[0068] FIG. 12 shows the closed valve cell foam embodiment of the
invention. In this embodiment the chambers are made of closed cell
foam 190 which is protected by transparent film 192.
[0069] Transparent foam is very difficult to make because of the
Snell's law causing multiple pathways for the light as it goes in
and out of each cell. However, the foam can be made translucent to
allow the passage of ultraviolet light. A representative
translucent foam material is high clarity polypropylene combined
with endothermic buoying agents which is available from Coral Foam
Company located at www.Coralfoam.com.
[0070] Also the NuSil Technology Company of Carpenteria, Calif. has
a product R1-2354 which is a high strength RTV silicon foam which
when catalyzed yields a medium density flame retardant silicone
foam which is flexible and translucent.
[0071] These foams, while they are not transparent enough to, say,
read a newspaper through, will allow, with some distortion, the
basic images of a bathing suit to come through and thus achieve
some of the vanity and appearance goals of the invention.
[0072] FIG. 13 shows the life vest embodiment of the invention with
crotch straps. The importance of these straps lies in the Coast
Guard classification of life vests for slow speed usage. In order
to have a vest approved for higher speed usage, it must be very
securely attached to the body. The crotch strap would allow the
life vest of the instant invention to be used with, say, jet
skis.
[0073] FIG. 14 shows an embodiment of the invention with the gas
holding pockets being distinct from the outer fabric. This is
because an optimal material for gas impermeability may not be
optimal for abrasion resistance. Thus one could select a
transparent polyvinyl (moderate abrasion resistance) for the
internal gas pouches but use a high abrasion resistant material for
the outer layers.
[0074] For a Tan-Thru.TM. life vest one would like to transmit UV-A
for the melanization (skin tanning) properties but to limit the
carcinogenic UV-B. The visible light is blocked for reasons of
modesty and consumer choice. For the UV-A infrared radiation, we
have two choices which can really correspond to two products, hence
labeled optional.
[0075] For the Fast-Tan.TM. life vest, the UV-B would also be
passed as the UV-B is a strong promoter of melanization.
[0076] For the See-Thru.TM. life vest, the visible light is passed
but both of the UV wavelengths are blocked. The infrared treatment
is optional as discussed above. For the See & Tan-Thru.TM. life
vest both visible and UV-A light are transmitted but the UV-B is
blocked.
[0077] The Greenhouse.TM. snow-ski vest (alternatively a coat with
full length sleeves) would transmit UV-A. Visible light is blocked
to allow for the more modest consumer. The UV-B passage is
optional. Blocking this reduces ultraviolet damage to light
sensitive clothing beneath the vest. Gas filling is optional as it
presents more insulation but also more bulk. Note that a single
layer of UV-A passing material can warm the user.
[0078] The Show-Me.TM. ski vest or jacket passes visible light to
allow the wearer to reveal clothing or physique beneath. The UV-A
passage is optional depending on the amount of warming desired. No
gas filler is used for this embodiment.
[0079] FIG. 15 shows the Air-Bag.TM. snow ski pants 230 which are
gas filled. They offer light weight warmth and cushioning for
falls. They protect the hips from falls as air is a very good shock
absorber. They would pass visible light to prevent apparent bulk.
Other light wavelength passage choices are optional. They are
either worn over or under shorts 240 or long underwear. The pants
are filled permanently with multiple chambers such as shown in FIG.
14. Alternatively, each pant sleeve is one chamber with tension
pylons spaced every 1.5 cm to prevent bulging.
[0080] FIG. 16 shows the tan-through sun glasses embodiment of the
invention. Here the bows 250 are made of a UV passing polymer. This
polymer is preferably also transparent to visible light.
Alternatively, the bow is only transparent to UV light. This allows
tanning to occur under the bow lines so that the unsightly tan
lines do not develop. The frames 260 are preferably opaque to UV
light to give maximum protection to the eyes. Alternatively, the
frame is transparent to UV light at the brow line to eliminate that
possible tan line. The lens 270 is made of conventional
material.
[0081] FIG. 17 shows the snow boarder gas filled hat 280 with a
safety channel 290 around the ears to provide hearing for safety.
The hat is filled permanently with multiple chambers such as shown
in FIG. 14. Alternatively, the whole hat is one chamber with
tension pylons spaced every 1.5 cm to prevent bulging. Preferably
the size is chosen for a tight fit to the head so that the portions
extending down near the neck provide sufficient means for
securement to the head. Alternatively, a strap is provided which
itself is preferably transparent.
[0082] Another embodiment of the invention is a tent that passes UV
and visible light but blocks ultra-violet. This would warm up
during the day yet retain the heat of the inhabitants at night.
[0083] It should be understood that the foregoing relates only to
preferred embodiments of the present invention, and that many
changes and modifications can be made therein without departing
from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the
following claims.
* * * * *
References