Cooling Suspenders

Abstract

Cooling suspenders are disclosed for supporting pants such as firefighter pants. The suspenders include a first and second strap where one or both of the straps includes a water absorbent material capable of retaining at least five times its weight in absorbed water and retains some of the absorbed water for at least 48 hours at about 18° C. to about 24° C. and provides a cooling effect to a wearer as the absorbed water evaporates. The water absorbent material may retain the water for at least 24 hours at elevated body temperatures such as those experienced by a firefighter while fighting a fire. The water absorbent material may be present as a padding layer within a portion of the first and/or second straps.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION

The present patent application claims priority from U.S. Ser. No. 61/352,210 filed on Jun. 7, 2010, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to suspenders for supporting a garment, more particularly to suspenders that include a water absorbent material that is capable of providing a cooling effect to a wearer.

BACKGROUND

Protective or hazardous duty garments are used in a variety of industries and settings to protect the wearer from adverse conditions such as heat, flames, smoke, cold, sharp objects, chemicals, liquids, vapors, fumes and the like. When exposed to heat and/or flames, the wearer of the protective garment is at risk of physical harm due to the excess heat. As the ambient temperature around the wearer rises above body temperature, the surroundings will transfer heat into the body rather than out. The body's mechanism to balance this transfer of heat is to perspire such that evaporation of the perspiration provides a cooling effect. Human skin begins to sweat almost precisely at 37° C. (98.6° F.) and the perspiration will increase with increasing skin temperature. The evaporation of sweat (water) from the skin provides a cooling effect because the heat of vaporization of water is endothermic, meaning that the vaporization reaction of water consumes or takes in heat to break the strong bonds between liquid water molecules to separate them into their free gaseous form (water vapor). The endothermic vaporization of water therefore removes heat from the skin and provides a cooling effect.

SUMMARY

Suspenders have the benefit of being worn snugly against part of the wearer's core. A cooling mechanism included in the suspenders can be positioned such that the cooling effect occurs proximate to the heart and lungs, which as vital organs are important to protect from excessive heat. In one aspect, disclosed herein are suspenders that include a water evaporation cooling mechanism. In one embodiment at least one strap of the suspenders includes a water-Attorney absorbing portion comprising a water absorbent material capable of retaining at least five times its weight in absorbed water and retains at least some of the water for at least 48 hours at about 18° C. to about 24° C. and that is characterized in that it can provide a cooling effect to the wearer as the absorbed water evaporates. The water absorbent material is further characterized in that it retains the absorbed water for at least 24 hours at elevated body temperatures. The body temperature of a fire fighter, for example, may be about 99° F. to about 103° F. while fighting a fire. Even young 20 and 30 year olds can experience cardiac arrest as a result of elevated body temperatures.

In one embodiment, the water absorbent material is re-wettable after evaporation of the absorbed water and may include fleece fibers and/or fleece material modified to include a super absorber.

The water-absorbing portion of the suspenders may be included in the first strap, the second strap, a lateral connector connecting the first and second strap together, and combinations thereof. In one embodiment, the water-absorbing portion of the straps forms a shoulder portion, more specifically a padded shoulder portion comprising water absorbent material. The water absorbent material may form the padding layer within the padded shoulder portion.

In one embodiment, the water-absorbing portion of the first and second straps and the lateral connector is a continuous piece or layer of water absorbent material. The continuous piece of water absorbent material may be generally V-shaped. The first strap includes a front strap connected to one arm of the V-shaped water absorbent material and the second strap includes a front strap connect to the second arm of the V-shaped water absorbent material. The suspenders may also include one or two back straps connected to the apex of the V-shaped water absorbent material.

In one embodiment, the water absorbent material is encased within an outer shell of flame-resistant material and the suspenders conform to the National Fire Protection Association (“N.F.P.A.”) Standards.

In another aspect, disclosed herein is a firefighter's garment that includes a pair of pants and any of the suspenders described above.

In another aspect, disclosed herein is a method of providing a cooling effect to a wearer. The method includes providing suspenders that comprise a first and second strap having one or more connecting mechanisms connected thereto. At least one of the first and second straps includes a padded portion that includes a padding of synthetic fleece modified with a super absorbent polymer. The modified fleece is characterized by being able to retain absorbed water for at least 24 hours at an elevated body temperature of a wearer and by being able to allow some absorbed water to evaporate therefrom while worn by the wearer to provide the wearer with a cooling effect. The method also includes absorbing water into the padded portion, and placing the suspenders on a wearer. Some of the absorbed water in the padded portion evaporates and provides a cooling effect to the wearer.

In one embodiment, the step of absorbing water into the padded portion includes submerging the padded portion in water for about 4-5 seconds.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of one embodiment of suspenders that imparts a cooling effect to a wearer.

FIGS. 1A-1B are cross-sectional views of the suspenders of FIG. 1 taken along lines 1A-1A and 1B-1B, respectively.

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the suspenders of FIG. 1 connected to a pair of firefighter pants.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of a second embodiment of suspenders that imparts a cooling effect to a wearer.

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of a one embodiment of a connecting mechanism for the suspenders.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description will illustrate the general principles of the invention, examples of which are additionally illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, like reference numbers indicate identical or functionally similar elements.

Referring to FIGS. 1-2, suspenders, generally designated 100, are shown that impart a cooling effect to a wearer. The suspenders 100 include a first strap 102 and a second strap 104 and may include a lateral connector 122 connecting the first and second straps 102, 104 to one another. The lateral connector 122 may be attached to the first and second straps 102, 104 at a location that will place the lateral connector 122 on the back of the wearer. The lateral connector 122 may be located such that it will rest across the wearer's shoulders, shoulder blades, middle back, or lower back.

The suspenders may include one or more back straps 118, 120 extending away from the lateral connector 122. The first and second straps 102, 104 and, if present, the one or more back straps 118, 120 are releasably attachable to a pair of trousers 101 (FIG. 2). The first and second straps 102, 104 may be releasably attachable to the inside, outside, or through the front of the trousers 101 and the back straps 118, 120 may be releasably attachable inside, outside, or through the back of the trousers 101.

In one embodiment, at least one of the first and second straps 102, 104 includes a water-absorbing portion 105. The water-absorbing portion 105 may form a shoulder portion such as first shoulder portion 110 or second shoulder portion 112 of at least one of the first and second straps 102, 104. In another embodiment, both of the first and the second straps 102, 104 include a water-absorbing portion 106, 108 as the first and second shoulder portions 110, 112. The first and second shoulder portions 110, 112 may each be padded with a layer of the water absorbing material 124. As shown in FIG. 1A, the first strap's water absorbing portion 106 has a padding 123 of water absorbent material 124 encased within an outer shell 126.

In another embodiment, the lateral connector 122 may include a water-absorbing portion or be part of the water-absorbing portion 105 as shown in FIG. 1. The lateral connector 122, as shown in FIG. 1B, may include a second water-absorbing portion 105′ having a water absorbent material 124′ as a padding 123′ encased within an outer shell 126′. The water absorbent material 124′ and the outer shell 126′.

Still referring to FIGS. 1-2, the second water-absorbing portion 105′ may be integral with the water-absorbing portion 106 of the first strap 102, the water-absorbing portion 108 of the second strap 104, or both water-absorbing portions 106, 108. The integral water-absorbing portion 105 may be generally V-shaped. The first strap 102 may include a first front strap 114 connected to one arm of the V-shaped water-absorbing portion 105 and the second strap 104 may include a second front strap 116 connected to the second arm of the V-shaped water-absorbing portion 105. The suspenders 100 may also include at least one back strap 118 connected to the apex of the V-shaped water-absorbing portion. In one embodiment, the suspenders 100 may include two back straps 118, 120 connected to the apex of the V-shaped water-absorbing portion 105. As described above, the water-absorbing portion 105 may be a padding 123 of water absorbent material 124 and encased in a fire-resistant outer shell 126.

The suspenders 100 may also include a plurality of connecting mechanisms 132, 134, 136, 138 coupled to the first and second straps 102, 104 for connecting the suspenders to a garment. In one embodiment, the connecting mechanisms 132, 134, 136, 138 are fixedly attached to the ends of the straps 102, 104. The first strap 102 may include a first connecting mechanism 132 at its first end 140 and a second connecting mechanism 136 at its second end 142. Likewise, the second strap 104 may include a first connecting mechanism 134 at its first end 144 and a second connecting mechanism 138 at its second end 146. In FIGS. 1-2 the connecting mechanisms 132, 134, 136, 138 are shown as clips, preferably metal clips or other inelastic clips, but are not limited thereto. In the embodiment of FIG. 3, the connecting mechanisms 232, 234, 236, 238 are tab fasteners that include a button-type hole. The tab fastener may be leather. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the connecting mechanisms 232′, 234′ may be generally rectangular metal loops that connect to snap tabs. Any connecting mechanism capable of connecting the suspenders 100 to pants 101 may be attached to the straps. It should be appreciated that connecting mechanisms that make donning of the suspenders 100 quick and easy is preferred, especially when the pants 101 are donned in a hurry, for example, by firefighters.

The clips 132, 134 (FIGS. 1-2) are used to fasten the first ends 140, 144 of the first strap 102 and the second strap 104, respectively, to the front of the firefighter's pants 101, which typically include buttons, tabs, or the like adapted to receive the clips 132, 134. Clips 136, 138 are used to fasten the second ends 142, 146 of the first strap 102 and the second strap 104, respectively, to the rear of the firefighter's pants 101, which include buttons, tabs, or the like adapted to receive the clips 136, 138.

The suspenders 100 may also include slide adjusters 150, 152 along the first and second front portions 114, 116 of the first and second straps 102, 104 for adjustment of the length of the suspenders 100.

As described above at least one of the first and second straps 102, 104 of the lateral connector 122 have a water-absorbing portion 105. The water-absorbing portion 105 may be just part of the straps 102, 104 or the lateral connector 122 or alternately may extend through the entire piece.

The water-absorbing portion 105 includes a water absorbent material 124. The water absorbent material has the characteristic that it is capable of retaining at least five times its weight in absorbed water for at least 48 hours at about 18° C. to about 24° C. such that the water-absorbing portion 105 provides a cooling effect to the wearer as the absorbed water evaporates. The water-absorbing portion 105 may be further characterized in that it retains the absorbed water for at least 24 hours at elevated body temperatures, for example about 99° F. to about 103° F.

The water absorbent material 124 may be about ¼ in (0.635 cm) to about 2 in (5.08 cm) thick, more preferably about ½ in (1.27 cm) to about 1 in (2.54 cm) thick. Such thickness of the water absorbent material 124 provides padding that adds comfort to the wearer as well as providing a cooling effect when loaded with water.

In one embodiment, the water absorbent material 124 may include synthetic fleece fibers and/or fleece material modified to include a super absorber. The modified synthetic fleece material may be Cooline® fleece material available from Pervormance® International GmbH. The synthetic fleece may have a flaming point of 500° C. and a melting temperature of 250° C. and as such is generally fireproof. The super absorber may be bound fixedly, for example, as gel or crystals in the fleece, or may be coated on the fiber of the fleece. Accordingly, the water or other liquid absorbed by the super absorber is also bound fixedly without the risk of draining off. The synthetic fleece is preferably made from polyester. The super absorber is preferably one that is light and flexible to move with the wearer of the suspenders, can be processed simply, and/or can be cut and sewn. Furthermore, the super absorber is characterized by the fact that it can absorb many times its volume as water; for example, five to thirty or considerably more depending on the quantity of superabsorber present in the water absorbent material.

In one embodiment, the super absorber is a super absorbing polymer. The super absorbing polymer may comprise polymerized, α-, β-unsaturated carbon acids or their salt or anhydride. The super absorbing polymer is selected, for example, from a group comprising poly acrylic acid, a hydrolyzed starch acrylonitrile graft polymer, a starch acrylic acid graft polymer, a saponified vinyl acetate acrylic ester copolymer, a hydrolyzed acrylonitrile copolymer, a hydrolyzed acryloamide copolymer, an ethylene maleic anhydride copolymer, an isobutylene maleic anhydride copolymer, a poly (vinyl sulfonic acid), a poly (vinyl phosphonic acid), a poly (vinyl phosphoric acid), a poly (vinyl sulfuric acid), and a sulfonated poly styrene, and their salts and/or mixtures.

Furthermore, the super absorbing polymer may be chosen from the group comprising a poly (vinyl amine), a poly (dialkyl aminoalkyl (meth) acryloamide), a poly (ethylene imine), a poly (allyl amine), a poly (allyl guanidine), a poly (di-methyl di-allyl ammonium hydroxide), a quaternary poly styrene derivative, a guanidine modified poly styrene, a quaternary poly methacrylic amide or an analogous ester, a poly (vinyl guanidine), their salts and/or their mixtures.

In one embodiment, the super absorbing polymer comprises a poly acrylic acid, neutralized at 50% to 100%. In one embodiment, the super absorbing polymer is sodium poly acrylate.

To charge the suspenders, in particular the water-absorbing portion 105, with water, the suspenders are submerged in water for several seconds, for example, about 4-5 seconds, more preferably about 5 seconds. This provides enough time for the super absorber to bind water thereto. The bound water is not removable by application of pressure, for example, squeezing by hand. If the submerged time is much shorter, dry spots may remain that do not provide a cooling effect. If the time is much longer, the suspenders may contain excess water that would be unpleasant to the wearer. The water bound to the synthetic fleece modified with the super absorber while it may not be squeezed from the suspender, it will slowly evaporate therefrom. Since the synthetic fleece modified with the super absorber binds the water for extended periods of time, up to about 60 hours at normal temperatures up to 24° C. (75.2° F.) and up to about 40 hours at 30° C. (86° C.), the suspenders may be charged with water at the beginning of the wearer's day or shift and will be ready to provide a cooling effect when needed up to about 40-60 hours later.

After some or all the water has evaporated from the suspenders 100, the suspenders may again be submerged to recharge the water-absorbing portion 105. Accordingly, the water-absorbing portion 105 is re-wettable, rendering the suspenders 100 re-useable. While submerging the suspenders 100 in water is taught as a method to apply water to the water absorbent material 124, the application of water to the suspenders 100 is not limited thereto. Other possible applications of water include but are not limited to spraying the water-absorbing portion 105 or placing the water-absorbing portion in a humidity controlled chamber.

The outer shell 126 is a water permeable material that allows liquid water and water vapor to pass therethrough. The liquid water should at least be able pass through the outer shell 126 to reach the water absorbent material 124 where it can be absorbed. The water vapor should at least be able to pass through the outer shell 126 moving from the encased water absorbent material 124 outward through the outer shell 126. The outer shell 126 may also be a fire-resistant material. Suitable materials for the outer shell include, but are not limited to, a compact weave of aramid fibers and/or polybenzamidazole fibers. Commercially available aramid materials include NOMEX® and KEVLAR® fibers (both trademarks of E.I. DuPont de Nemours & Co., Inc. of Wilmington, Del.), and commercially available polybenzamidazole fibers include PBI fibers (a trademark of PBI Performance Materials of Charlotte, N.C.). Thus, the outer shell 126 may be an aramid material, a blend of aramid materials, a polybenzamidazole material, a blend of aramid and polybenzamidazole materials, or other appropriate materials. The outer shell 126, since it is water permeable, should not include a fluorocarbon or other water-repellent finish.

If segments of the first and second straps 102, 104 do not include a water-absorbing portion 105, those segments may be constructed from a fire-resistant material. In the embodiment in FIG. 1, for example, the first and second front portions 114, 116 and the first and second back portions 118, 120 may be constructed from fire-resistant material. In one embodiment, the fire-resistant material may be a limited stretch, permanently fire-resistant fabric described in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 5,448,779, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. The straps of the '779 patent have an elastic core, preferably of neoprene, an intermediate layer of fire-resistant polyester wrapped around the elastic core, and an outer layer of permanently fire-resistant material wrapped around the elastic core and intermediate layer. The permanently fire-resistant material of the outer layer may be a halogenated modacrylic or a compact weave of aramid fibers and/or polybenzamidazole fibers, such as NOMEX® and KEVLAR® fibers and polybenzamidazole fibers discussed above. The fire-resistant material may also be or include neoprene, fire-resistant viscose, anti-fire polyester, chlorinated fibers, aramid and/or PBI materials such as those disclosed above, modacrylic intumescent fibers, halogenated modacrylic, and combinations thereof.

The suspenders as a whole may meet the NFPA 1971 standards for protective firefighting garments (“Protective Clothing for Structural Firefighting”), which are entirely incorporated by reference herein, and/or their European equivalent the EN443 standards, which are entirely incorporated by reference herein. The NFPA standards specify various minimum requirements for heat/flame resistance and tear strength. For example, in order to meet the NFPA standards, the suspenders must be able to resist igniting, burning, melting, dripping, separation and/or shrinking by more than 10% in any direction at a temperature of 500° F. for at least five minutes.

So far the suspenders 100 have been illustrated and described relative to firefighter's pants 101, but the invention is not limited thereto. Suspenders that provide a cooling effect due to the presence of the water absorbent material 124 are applicable to any garment and/or wearer that may experience elevated temperatures.

Suspenders commonly are part of protective garments, in particular those worn by firefighters so the firefighter may quickly put on an attached garment, for example, trousers. Firefighters and other wearers of protective garments may need to don their protective garments in a hurry to respond to an emergency. Accordingly, suspenders are advantageous for quick dressing. Having the cooling mechanism in the suspenders also avoids adding additional garments having cooling mechanism to the uniform, like vests, that can require extra time to put on.

Suspenders are also advantageous because they are worn closer to the body's core than a jacket or trouser and tend to be more closely fitting. This allows the cooling mechanism and its cooling effect to be positioned closer to the body's core. Additionally, the shape of the suspenders may be designed to cover selected organs within the core and/or to cover a particular percentage of the surface area of the body's core. In one embodiment, the water-absorbing portion of the suspenders covers about 5% to about 25% of the outer surface area of the body's core between the base of the neck and the hips. In another embodiment, the water-absorbing portion of the suspenders may cover about 8% to about 20% of the outer surface of the body's core. In another embodiment, the water-absorbing portion of the suspenders may cover about 10% to about 16% of the outer surface of the body's core.

A concern with placing a wet garment on a firefighter is the risk of fast evaporation that can cause steam burns, increased thermal conduction, and/or heat stress. Protective garments that will be exposed to excessive heat are typically designed to include a moisture barrier that is selectively permeable to allow perspiration of the wearer to escape through the barrier, but does not allow liquid water to pass through a moisture barrier toward the wearer, where the water may be absorbed by the thermal barrier layer. It is counterintuitive to place a garment containing absorbed water against or closely fitted to the body's core with such possible risks. Accordingly, Applicants had the EMPA Swiss Research Institute for Material Sciences and Technology conduct a Mannequin-test using their procedures to determine if there was a risk of steam burns, increased thermal conduction, or heat stress. With the Cooline® fleece material as the water absorbent material 124 in the suspenders 100, the test revealed no risk of steam burns, increased thermal conduction, or heat stress. In fact, the opposite occurred, a cooling effect. In one test, suspenders having a water-absorbing portion, similar to the design of FIG. 1, were placed in a 30° C. environment (86° F.) and the temperature at the surface of the suspenders, in particular the water-absorbing portion 105, was monitored. The surface temperature of the water-absorbing portion 105 was 16° C. (60.8° F.). This 16° C. temperature was maintained for 40 hours. It is believed that slow evaporation of the water from the water absorbent material 124 makes the suspenders advantageous for providing a cooling effect without the risk of steam burns, increased thermal conductivity, and heat stress.

Referring now to FIG. 3, which illustrates an alternate embodiment, the suspenders having a water absorbent material, generally designated 200, may be generally H-shaped, where the vertical sides of the H-shape correspond to a first strap 202 and a second strap 204 connected to one another by a lateral connector 222 corresponding to the horizontal segment of the H-shape. The lateral connector 222 may be attached to the first and second straps 202, 204 at a location that will place the lateral connector 122 on the back of the wearer. The lateral connector 122 may be located such that it will rest across the wearer's shoulders, shoulder blades, middle back, or lower back.

The suspenders 200 include at least one water-absorbing portion 206. The water-absorbing portion 206 may be on the first strap 102 or second strap 104. In another embodiment, both the first and second straps 102, 104 each include a water-absorbing portion 206, 208, respectively. The water-absorbing portions 206, 208, when present, include a water absorbent material capable of retaining at least five times its weight in absorbed water that is characterized by being able to retain at least some of the water for at least 48 hours at about 18° C. to about 24° C. such that the water-absorbing portions 206, 208 provide a cooling effect to the wearer as the absorbed water evaporates. The water-absorbing portions 206, 208 may be further characterized in that they retain the absorbed water for at least 24 hours at elevated body temperatures, for example about 99° F. to about 103° F. The water absorbent material may be any of the water absorbent materials described above.

In one embodiment, the first and second straps 202, 204 include the water absorbent material as a padding layer and include segments 214, 216, 218, 220, 222 that do not include water absorbent material. These segments, for example first and second front portions 214, 216, first and second back portions 218, 220 and lateral connector 222, are formed of a fire-resistant material. The fire-resistant material may be any of the fire-resistant materials discussed above.

In one embodiment, the water-absorbing portions 206, 208 are each fixedly attached to a front portion and a back portion of a strap, for example, water-absorbing portion 206 is fixedly attached to front portion 214 and back portion 218 of the first strap 202 while water-absorbing portion 208 is fixedly attached to front portion 216 and back portion 220 of second strap 204. In one embodiment the water-absorbing portions 206, 208 are sewn to the front and back portions. Alternately, the water-absorbing portions 206, 208 may be adhered to the segments of the straps with an adhesive or fastened thereto with a fastener. In another embodiment, the water-absorbing portions 206, 208 may each be slidably attached and/or removeably coupled to a continuous first strap 202 and a continuous second strap 204, respectively, for slidable movement along each strap.

The suspenders 200 may include connecting mechanisms 232, 234, 236, 238 shown as tab fasteners having a button-type hole in FIG. 3, but are not limited thereto. Numerous examples of connecting mechanism are given above and are known in the art.

Although the invention is shown and described with respect to certain embodiments, it should be clear that modifications will occur to those skilled in the art upon reading and understanding the specification, and the present invention includes all such modifications.

Claims

1. Suspenders comprising:

first and second straps; and

one or more connecting mechanisms;

wherein at least one of the first and second straps includes a water-absorbing portion, the water absorbing portion comprising a water absorbent material capable of retaining at least five times its weight in absorbed water and capable of retaining at least some of the water for at least 48 hours at about 18° C. to about 24° C., wherein the water absorbing portion provides a cooling effect to a wearer of the suspenders as the absorbed water evaporates.

2. The suspenders of claim 1 wherein both the first and the second straps include a water-absorbing portion.

3. The suspenders of claim 2 wherein the water-absorbing portion of both the first and the second straps forms a padded shoulder portion thereof.

4. The suspenders of claim 3 further comprising a lateral connector connecting the first and the second straps.

5. The suspenders of claim 4 wherein the lateral connector includes a second water-absorbing portion comprising a water absorbent material capable of retaining at least five times its weight in absorbed water that is characterized by being able to retain at least some of the water for at least 48 hours at about 18° C. to about 24° C., wherein the water absorbing portion provides a cooling effect to a wearer of the suspenders as the absorbed water evaporates.

6. The suspenders of claim 5 wherein the second water-absorbing portion of the lateral connector is integral with the water-absorbing portions of both the first and second straps.

7. The suspenders of claim 6 wherein the integral water-absorbing portion is generally V-shaped, and wherein the first strap comprises a front strap connected to one arm of the V-shaped padding portion, the second strap comprises a second front strap connected to a second arm of the V-shaped padding portion, and at least one back strap is connected to the apex of the V-shaped padding portion.

8. The suspenders of claim 7 wherein the water-absorbing portion is a padding of water absorbent material, wherein the water-absorbing material is further characterized in that it retains the absorbed water for at least 24 hours at elevated body temperatures.

9. The suspenders of claim 1 wherein the water absorbent material is re-wettable after evaporation of the absorbed water.

10. The suspenders of claim 1 wherein the water absorbent material includes fleece fibers or fleece material modified with a super absorber.

11. The suspenders of claim 1 wherein the water absorbent material is encased within an outer shell of flame-resistant material.

12. The suspenders of claim 11 wherein the flame resistant material includes aramid fibers, polybenzamidazole fibers, or a combination thereof.

13. The suspenders of claim 12 wherein the flame-resistant material is also permeable to liquid water and water vapor in at least opposite directions through the material.

14. The suspenders of claim 13 wherein the water-absorbing portion covers about 5% to about 25% of the outer surface area of their wearer's torso between the base of the neck and the hips.

15. The suspenders of claim 14 wherein the water absorbent material forms a padding layer.

16. The suspenders of claim 11 wherein the suspenders conform with the NFPA 1971 Standards or EN443 Standards.

17. A firefighter's garment comprising:

pants and the suspenders of claim 1.

18. Suspenders comprising:

first and second straps; and

one or more connecting mechanisms connected to the first or second straps;

wherein at least one of the first and second straps includes a padded portion, the padded portion comprising a padding of synthetic fleece modified with a super absorbent polymer capable of retaining absorbed water for at least 24 hours at an elevated body temperature of a wearer and by being able to allow some absorbed water to evaporate therefrom while worn by the wearer to provide the wearer with a cooling effect.

19. The suspenders of claim 18 wherein both the first and the second straps include a padded portion forming a shoulder strap portion thereof.

20. The suspenders of claim 19 further comprising a lateral connector connecting the first and the second straps.

21. The suspenders of claim 20 wherein the lateral connector includes a second padding portion comprising a padding of synthetic fleece modified with a super absorbent polymer.

22. The suspenders of claim 21 wherein the second padding portion of the lateral connector is integral with the padding portion of the first and second straps.

23. The suspenders of claim 18 wherein the padding of water absorbent material is re-wettable after evaporation of the absorbed water.

24. The suspenders of claim 18 wherein the padding of water absorbent material is encased within an outer shell of flame-resistant material.

25. The suspenders of claim 24 wherein the flame resistant material includes aramid fibers, polybenzamidazole fibers, or a combination thereof.

26. The suspenders of claim 24 wherein the flame-resistant material is also permeable to liquid water and water vapor in at least opposite directions through the material.

27. The suspenders of claim 18 wherein the padding of water absorbent material has a thickness of about ¼ in to about 2 in.

28. The suspenders of claim 18 wherein a surface temperature of the padded portion of the suspenders is about 60.8° F. in an environment having a temperature of 86° F.

29. The suspenders of claim 28 wherein the surface temperature is maintainable for about 40 hours.

30. A method of providing a cooling effect to a wearer, the method comprising:

providing suspenders comprising: first and second straps; and one or more connecting mechanism connected to the first or second straps; wherein at least one of the first and second straps includes a padded portion, the padded portion comprising a padding of synthetic fleece modified with a super absorbent polymer capable of retaining absorbed water for at least 24 hours at an elevated body temperature of a wearer and by being able to allow some absorbed water to evaporate therefrom while worn by the wearer to provide the wearer with a cooling effect;

absorbing water into the padded portion;

placing the suspenders on a wearer;

wherein some of the absorbed water in the padded portion evaporates from the suspenders and provides a cooling effect to the wearer.

31. The method of claim 30 wherein absorbing water into the padded portion includes submerging the padded portion in water for about 4-5 seconds.