U.S. patent application number 13/055874 was filed with the patent office on 2011-09-15 for safety clothes.
Invention is credited to Hyun Chul Cho.
Application Number | 20110223822 13/055874 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42086330 |
Filed Date | 2011-09-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110223822 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Cho; Hyun Chul |
September 15, 2011 |
SAFETY CLOTHES
Abstract
Safety clothes includes a fabric structure having a liner fabric
and a cover fabric attached to each other, and a plurality of
gas-containing capsules contained in compartments, which are
defined between the liner fabric and the cover fabric. Gas is
sealed inside the gas-containing capsules. The reliability and the
freedom of motion of safety clothes are improved.
Inventors: |
Cho; Hyun Chul; (Seoul,
KR) |
Family ID: |
42086330 |
Appl. No.: |
13/055874 |
Filed: |
July 27, 2009 |
PCT Filed: |
July 27, 2009 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/KR2009/004168 |
371 Date: |
April 29, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
441/88 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A41D 13/0125
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
441/88 |
International
Class: |
B63C 9/08 20060101
B63C009/08 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jul 26, 2008 |
KR |
10-2008-0073279 |
Mar 25, 2009 |
KR |
10-2009-0025220 |
Claims
1. A safety clothes comprising: a fabric structure having a liner
fabric and a cover fabric attached to each other; and a plurality
of gas-containing capsules contained in compartments, which are
defined between the liner fabric and the cover fabric, wherein gas
is sealed inside the gas-containing capsules.
2. The safety clothes according to claim 1, wherein each of the
gas-containing capsules is made of a synthetic resin material, with
an enclosed inner space formed therein, wherein gas is sealed in
the inner space.
3. The safety clothes according to claim 2, wherein the
gas-containing capsule is manufactured by forming the synthetic
resin material into a predetermined shape that has the inner space
through blow molding or injection molding, followed by injecting
gas into the inner space, and sealing the inner space.
4. The safety clothes according to claim 2, wherein the synthetic
resin material comprises ethylene vinyl acetate.
5. The safety clothes according to claim 1, wherein the liner
fabric and the cover fabric are attached to each other
intermittently at points adjacent to the gas-containing capsules in
lateral and vertical directions in order to form the
compartments.
6. The safety clothes according to claim 1, wherein the
compartments are formed between the liner fabric and the cover
fabric, which are attached to each other in central areas, wherein
each of the central areas is defined by 4 adjacent capsules of the
gas-containing capsules.
7. The safety clothes according to claim 1, wherein the
gas-containing capsules have an octagonal cross-sectional
shape.
8. The safety clothes according to claim 7, wherein each of the
gas-containing capsules has 8 sidewalls, wherein 4 sidewalls have a
shorter lateral length, and 4 remaining sidewalls have a longer
lateral length, wherein the 4 sidewalls having a shorter lateral
length form corners of the gas-containing capsule.
9. The safety clothes according to claim 1, further comprising a
plurality of through-holes penetrating the liner fabric and the
cover fabric in central areas, each of which is defined by 4
adjacent capsules of the gas-containing capsules.
10. The safety clothes according to claim 1, comprising a life
jacket in which the gas-containing capsules act as a buoyant
material.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to safety clothes, and more
particularly, to a structure for improving the reliability and the
freedom of motion of safety clothes.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] In general, safety clothes is used as a floating device, in
which a buoyant material is fitted between a liner fabric and a
cover fabric to keep a wearer afloat in the water; a
shock-absorbing device, in which a shock-absorbing material is
fitted between the liner fabric and the cover fabric to protect the
wearer's body from external impact when he/she is exercising or
walking on the ground; or the like. In particular, the safety
clothes used as the floating device (e.g., a life jacket) is
required to be worn for the purpose of safety in the case of water
sports, fishing, and sea cruising.
[0003] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a
conventional life jacket.
[0004] Referring to FIG. 1, the life jacket 10 of the related art
is provided in the form of a vest that a person can wear, in which
a buoyant material 40 is fitted between a liner fabric 20 and a
cover fabric 30. The buoyant material 40 is typically made of
foamed resin, such as polyethylene foam, which has a predetermined
thickness. The buoyant material 40 is provided in the form of a
plate in order to facilitate manufacture, and is contained inside
the life jacket 10 by sealing the liner fabric 20 and the cover
fabric 30.
[0005] However, the life jacket 10 of the related art has a problem
in that, when the wearer remains in the water for a long time, the
buoyant material 40, which is made of foamed resin such as
polyethylene foam, absorbs water, thereby endangering the safety of
the wearer, even if the liner fabric 20 and the cover fabric 30 are
made of a waterproof or water-resistant material.
[0006] In addition, the life jacket 10 of the related art has a
problem in that the buoyant material 40 is not easily brought into
close contact with the body of the wearer and has little
pliability, since it is provided in the form of a plate, which is
made of foamed resin, such as polyethylene foam.
DISCLOSURE
Technical Problem
[0007] An object of the present invention is to provide safety
clothes that can improve reliability and freedom of motion, which
are required for the same.
Advantageous Effects
[0008] The invention uses gas-containing capsules, in which gas is
sealed, as a buoyant material so that no water can permeate into
the buoyant material even if a wearer remains in the water for a
long time, thereby improving the reliability of a life jacket.
[0009] The invention also uses the gas-containing capsules, in
which gas is sealed, as a buoyant material so that the buoyant
material can exhibit external impact-absorbing performance that is
better than that of the shock-absorbing material of the related art
in which no gas is contained, thereby more thoroughly protecting
the body of the wearer.
[0010] Furthermore, the invention provides an attachment structure
having a dotted pattern to liner and cover fabrics, which form
multiple compartments in which the multiple gas-containing capsules
are contained, so that the gas-containing capsules, which are
contained in the compartments, can move within a predetermined
range. This, as a result, can increase the pliability of the life
jacket, improve the wearing sensation, and increase the freedom of
motion of a wearer.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a life
jacket of the related art.
[0012] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a life jacket according
to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.
[0013] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the gas-containing capsule
shown in FIG. 2.
[0014] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the gas-containing
capsule shown in FIG. 3.
[0015] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing variations of the
gas-containing capsule of the invention.
[0016] FIG. 6 is a schematic plan view showing the enlargement of a
part of the life jacket shown in FIG. 2.
[0017] FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the life
jacket taken along line VII-VII in FIG. 6.
[0018] FIG. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the life
jacket taken along line VIII-VIII in FIG. 6.
[0019] FIG. 9 is a schematic plan view showing part of a life
jacket according to another exemplary embodiment of the
invention.
[0020] FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the life
jacket taken along line X-X in FIG. 9.
BEST MODE
[0021] According to the invention for realizing one or more of the
foregoing objects, the safety clothes includes a fabric structure
having a liner fabric and a cover fabric attached to each other;
and a plurality of gas-containing capsules contained in
compartments, which are defined between the liner fabric and the
cover fabric, wherein gas is sealed inside the gas-containing
capsules.
[0022] Each of the gas-containing capsules may be made of a
synthetic resin material, with an enclosed inner space formed
therein. Gas is sealed in the inner space.
[0023] The gas-containing capsule may be manufactured by forming
the synthetic resin material into a predetermined shape with the
inner space therein through blow molding or injection molding,
followed by injecting gas into the inner space, and sealing the
inner space.
[0024] Examples of the synthetic resin material may include
ethylene vinyl acetate.
[0025] The liner fabric and the cover fabric may be attached to
each other intermittently at points adjacent to the gas-containing
capsules in lateral and vertical directions in order to form the
compartments.
[0026] The compartments may be formed between the liner fabric and
the cover fabric, which are attached to each other in central
areas. Each of the central areas is defined by 4 adjacent capsules
of the gas-containing capsules.
[0027] The gas-containing capsules may have an octagonal
cross-sectional shape. Each gas-containing capsule may have 8
sidewalls, in which 4 sidewalls have a shorter lateral length, 4
remaining sidewalls have a longer lateral length, and the 4
sidewalls having a shorter lateral length form corners of the
gas-containing capsule.
[0028] The safety clothes may further include a plurality of
through-holes penetrating the liner fabric and the cover fabric in
central areas, each of which is defined by 4 adjacent capsules of
the gas-containing capsules
[0029] The safety clothes can include a life jacket in which the
gas-containing capsules act as a buoyant material.
Mode for Invention
[0030] The above and other advantages of the invention and of the
operation of the invention and the above and other objects, which
are realized by embodying the invention, will be more apparent from
the following description taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings, which show exemplary embodiments of the
invention.
[0031] The present invention will now be described more fully
hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which
exemplary embodiments thereof are shown. In the following
description of the present invention, however, detailed
descriptions of known functions and components incorporated herein
will be omitted when they may make the subject matter of the
present invention unclear.
[0032] The life jacket of the invention can be applied in various
forms, such as those of a vest, a jumper, pants, a guard, and the
like. In terms of use, the life jacket can be applied as a floating
device, which keeps a wearer afloat in the water, a shock-absorbing
device, which protects the wearer's body from external impact when
the wearer is exercising or walking on the ground, and the like.
That is, in this disclosure, the term "safety clothes" is used as a
concept that embraces various types of protective equipment, which
are in the form of a piece of apparel that a person can wear on
his/her body. However, in the following description, the safety
clothes of the invention will be limited, for the purpose of
illustration, to the life jacket, which is used as a buoyant device
to prevent a water accident from occurring by keeping the wearer
afloat in the water.
[0033] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a life jacket according
to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, FIG. 3 is a
perspective view of the gas-containing capsule shown in FIG. 2,
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the gas-containing capsule
shown in FIG. 3, and FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing
variations of the gas-containing capsule of the invention.
[0034] In addition, FIG. 6 is a schematic plan view showing the
enlargement of a part of the life jacket shown in FIG. 2, FIG. 7 is
a schematic cross-sectional view of the life jacket taken along
line VII-VII in FIG. 6, and FIG. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional
view of the life jacket taken along line VIII-VIII in FIG. 6.
[0035] Referring to FIGS. 2 to 8, the life jacket 100 of this
embodiment includes a plurality of gas-containing capsules 130, in
which gas is sealed, and a fabric structure 110, which includes a
liner fabric 111 and a cover fabric 112. The liner fabric 111 and
the cover fabric 112 are attached to each other to form a plurality
of compartments S in which the gas-containing capsules 130 are
contained.
[0036] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, each gas-containing capsule 130
is configured to form an enclosed inner space, in which gas is
sealed in order to produce a certain amount of buoyancy. Examples
of the gas sealed inside the gas-containing capsules 130 may
include air, nitrogen (N.sub.2), and the like.
[0037] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the gas-containing capsule 130
has a contour generally in the form of an octagonal column with an
octagonal cross section. Thus, the octagonal structure of the
gas-containing capsule 130 forms 8 sidewalls 131 and 133, of which
4 shorter sidewalls 131 have a shorter lateral length L.sub.1, and
the other 4 sidewalls 133 have a longer lateral length L.sub.2. The
4 sidewalls 131 having the shorter lateral length L.sub.2 form 4
corners of the gas-containing capsule 130. Accordingly, as shown in
FIG. 6, it is possible to set the central areas C, which are
defined by 4 adjacent gas-containing capsules 130, to have a
sufficient space while decreasing the distance between the multiple
gas-containing capsules 130, thereby providing attaching areas in
which the liner fabric 111 and the cover fabric 112 are easily
attached in a dotted pattern. However, the shape of the
gas-containing capsule 130 is not limited to this embodiment. As
shown in FIG. 6, the gas-containing capsule 130 can have a variety
of shapes, such as those of a flat ellipse, a rectangular column, a
hexagonal column, and the like. In addition, the size of the
gas-containing capsule 130 can vary depending on the design of the
life jacket 100 that is used. The advantage is that the smaller the
gas-containing capsule 130 is, the better the wearing sensation
becomes. Although not shown in the figures, it is preferred that
the corners of the gas-containing capsule 130 be rounded.
[0038] The gas-containing capsule 130 can be made of one material
selected from among thermoplastic synthetic resins, such as
Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA), Poly Ethylene (PE), Poly Ethylene
Terephthalate (PET), Poly Vinyl Chloride (PVC), and the like. In
particular, considering that the life jacket 100 is a piece of
apparel that a person wears, it is preferred that the
gas-containing capsule 130 be made of EVA, which is a material that
is inexpensive but has excellent pliability (softness),
shock-absorbing ability, and heat retention. The gas-containing
capsule 130 can be manufactured by forming a thermoplastic
synthetic resin material into a specific shape having an enclosed
inner space through blow molding, injection molding, or the like,
injecting gas into the inner space, and sealing the inner space.
Here, it is more preferable that blow molding, in which the
gas-containing capsule 130 is manufactured by blowing air into it,
be used rather than injection molding, in consideration that the
gas-containing capsule 130 is shaped such that it has an enclosed
inner space.
[0039] As described above, the gas-containing capsule 130 can serve
as an excellent buoyant material in the life jacket 100, since it
is made of a synthetic resin material and gas is sealed inside it.
In addition, unlike foamed resin such as polyethylene foam, the
gas-containing capsule 130 does not lose buoyancy even if it is
left in the water for a long time, since no water permeates into
it. Thereby, the gas-containing capsule 130 can improve the
reliability of the life jacket 100. In addition, the gas-containing
capsule 130 has an advantage in that it can produce buoyancy that
is greater than that of the foamed resin of the related art when
they have the same volume.
[0040] Referring to FIGS. 2, and 6 to 8, the fabric structure 110,
including the liner fabric 111 and the cover fabric 112, is
generally prepared in the form of a vest that a person can wear.
The liner fabric 111 and the cover fabric 112 can be made of
natural or synthetic fiber, preferably, waterproof or
water-resistant fiber considering that the life jacket 100 is used
in the water. The multiple gas-containing capsules 130 are arranged
such that they are spaced apart from each other between the liner
fabric 111 and the cover fabric 112. The liner fabric 111 and the
cover fabric 112 are attached to each other to form multiple
compartments S, in which the multiple gas-containing capsules 130
are contained. Specifically, each gas-containing capsule 130 is
contained in a corresponding compartment S, which is defined
between the liner fabric 111 and the cover fabric 112, in order to
prevent the gas-containing capsule 130, which is arranged between
the liner fabric 111 and the cover fabric 112, from being dislodged
from its position, so that the multiple gas-containing capsules 130
are uniformly distributed throughout the life jacket 100.
[0041] Here, the multiple compartments S, in which the multiple
gas-containing capsules 130 are contained, are formed between the
liner fabric 111 and the cover fabric 112, which are attached to
each other at the central areas C, which are defined by 4
gas-containing capsules 130. Specifically, the liner fabric 111 and
the cover fabric 112 are attached to each other at 4 points, which
are adjacent to four corners of the gas-containing capsules 130,
such that the multiple compartments S are formed therebetween.
Here, the liner fabric 111 and the cover fabric 112 are sewn to
each other. Specifically, the liner fabric 111 and the cover fabric
112 are securely attached to each other by sewing one point of the
central area C, which is defined by the 4 adjacent gas-containing
capsules 130, several times.
[0042] As above, in the life jacket 100 of this embodiment, the
multiple compartments S, in which the multiple gas-containing
capsules 130 are contained, are formed by attaching the liner
fabric 111 and the cover fabric 112 to each other, such that the
liner fabric 111 and the cover fabric 112 are attached to each
other intermittently at points adjacent to the gas-containing
capsules 130 in the lateral and vertical directions. That is, the
attachment structure having a dotted pattern is applied to the
attachment between the liner fabric 111 and the cover fabric 112,
which forms the multiple compartments S. Accordingly, the life
jacket 100 of this embodiment can improve the wearing sensation and
increase the freedom of motion of a wearer thanks to increased
pliability, since the gas-containing capsules 130, which are
contained in the compartments S, can move within a predetermined
range. Here, as described above, since the gas-containing capsules
130 have an octagonal cross-sectional shape, it is possible to set
the central areas C, which are defined by 4 adjacent gas-containing
capsules 130, to have a sufficient space while decreasing the
distance between the multiple gas-containing capsules 130, thereby
providing attaching areas in which the liner fabric 111 and the
cover fabric 112 are easily attached in a dotted pattern. Unlike
this embodiment, the attachment between the liner fabric 111 and
the cover fabric 112, which forms the multiple compartments S, can
be continuously made by an attachment structure having attaching
lines, which include, for example, lateral and vertical attaching
lines surrounding the gas-containing capsules 130.
[0043] Although the attachment between the liner fabric 111 and the
cover fabric 112 to form the multiple compartments S is realized by
sewing, it can be realized by fusion, bonding, a method that uses a
separate attaching tool (not shown) such as an eyelet, or the like.
In addition, although one gas-containing capsule 130 is contained
in one compartment S in this embodiment, two or more gas-containing
capsules 130 can be contained in one compartment S.
[0044] As described above, since the gas-containing capsules 130,
in which gas is sealed, are used as a buoyant material, the life
jacket 100 of this embodiment exhibits excellent buoyancy. The
reliability of the life jacket can be improved, since no water can
permeate into the buoyant material even if the wearer remains in
the water for a long time.
[0045] In addition, the life jacket 100 of this embodiment employs
an attachment structure having a dotted pattern on the liner fabric
111 and the cover fabric 112, which form multiple compartments S in
which multiple gas-containing capsules 130 are contained, so that
the gas-containing capsules 130, which are contained in the
compartments S, can move within a predetermined range. This, as a
result, can increase the pliability of the life jacket, improve the
wearing sensation, and increase the freedom of motion of the
wearer.
[0046] FIG. 9 is a schematic plan view showing part of a life
jacket according to another exemplary embodiment of the invention,
and FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the life jacket
taken along line X-X in FIG. 9. Below, a description will be given
of the life jacket according to another embodiment of the
invention, focusing on the differences from the foregoing
embodiment.
[0047] Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, the life jacket 200 of this
embodiment includes a plurality of gas-containing capsules 130, in
which gas is sealed, and a fabric structure 110, which includes a
liner fabric 111 and a cover fabric 112. The liner fabric 111 and
the cover fabric 112 are attached to each other to form a plurality
of compartments S in which the gas-containing capsules 130 are
contained. In addition, a plurality of through-holes 217 is formed
such that each through-hole 217 penetrates the liner fabric 111 and
the cover fabric 112 in the central area C defined by 4 adjacent
gas-containing capsules 130.
[0048] In other words, the life jacket 200 of this embodiment is
configured to be substantially the same as the life jacket 100 of
the foregoing embodiment, except that the fabric structure 110 has
the multiple through-holes 217, each of which penetrates the liner
fabric 111 and the cover fabric 112 in the central area C defined
by 4 adjacent gas-containing capsules 130. Therefore, the
components the same as or similar to those of the foregoing
embodiments are given the same reference numerals, and detailed
descriptions thereof will be omitted.
[0049] As above, the life jacket 200 of this embodiment further
includes, in addition to the configuration of the foregoing
embodiment, the multiple through-holes 217, each of which
penetrates the liner fabric 111 and the cover fabric 112 in the
central area C defined by 4 adjacent gas-containing capsules 130.
Thus, it is possible not only to provide all the advantages of the
foregoing embodiment, but also to further improve wearing sensation
and reduce the unpleasant feeling of a wearer, since water is
quickly evacuated from the life jacket 200 via the through-holes
217 and the life jacket 200 is quickly dried in the wind when the
wearer comes out of the water.
[0050] Like the foregoing embodiment, this embodiment also applies
the method of sewing the liner fabric 111 and the cover fabric 112
at the central areas C, each of which is defined by 4 adjacent
gas-containing capsules 130, to the attachment between the liner
fabric 111 and the cover fabric 112 in order to form the multiple
compartments S in which the multiple gas-containing capsules 130
are contained. In consideration that the through-hole 217 is formed
in the central area C defined by 4 adjacent gas-containing capsules
130, it is preferred that a string 215 be sewn around the
through-hole 217 so that the liner fabric 111 and the cover fabric
112 can be securely attached to each other.
[0051] The safety clothes of the present invention has been
described hereinbefore, by way of example, as being a life jacket.
However, as mentioned above, the safety clothes of the invention
can be applied in various forms, such as a jumper, pants, and a
guard. Further, the use of the safety clothes is not limited to the
floating device that keeps a wearer afloat in the water, but can be
applied to a shock-absorbing device that protects the wearer's body
from external impact when he/she is exercising or walking on the
ground.
[0052] When the use of the safety clothes of the invention is
applied to the shock-absorbing device, the gas-containing capsules
act as a shock-absorbing material rather than the buoyant material.
Since the gas-containing capsules are configured such that gas is
sealed therein, they can exhibit external impact-absorbing
performance that is better than that of the existing
shock-absorbing material of the related art in which no gas is
contained, thereby more thoroughly protecting the body of the
wearer.
[0053] The present invention is not limited to the foregoing
embodiments, but various modifications and alterations will be
apparent to a person having ordinary skill in the art without
departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, it
should be understood that all such modifications and alterations
fall within the scope of the claims of the invention.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0054] The present invention is applicable to the field of safety
clothes including a life jacket.
* * * * *