Heated garment having overheating protection

Abstract

An upper-and-lower survival wear garment conforms to the body, with flexible and expandable pockets designed to hold multiple sizes of replaceable chemical heat or chemical cooling packs. A three-sided Velcro on a pocket stows a signal mirror to alert emergency rescue personnel in an emergency in a remote location. Behind each pocket is a thermally conductive high-temperature-resistant silicone-coated fabric for burn- and frostbite-protection. This fabric radiates heat evenly in all directions from zero to twelve inches from the heat source, and protects against hot spots or cold spots, and against rupture of the heat or cold packs. A 4-way flat-lockstitch seam has fluorescent thread for superior visibility in low-light working or wilderness environments.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a heated garment and, more particularly, to a heated garment that can use multiple sized heat or cold packs which transfers heat evenly throughout the garment.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Heated garments have been used in many different environments where the user would be exposed to extremely cold temperatures for extended periods of time. Heated garments can be particularly useful to utility workers, sports fans, athletes, and hunters to name a few. Currently there are a multitude of heated garments that use chemical heat packs that are placed in specially designed pockets built into the garments. These do not provide even heat transmission and distribution over a large surface area causing patchy heat distribution over the user's body. In addition, chemical heat packs are manufactured in a large variety of sizes and shapes and current heated garments that use chemical heat packs provide no provision for accommodating a large variety of sizes and shapes. By being able to accommodate different size chemical heating packs the user would also have the option of using cooling packs of different sizes to allow the heated garment to be used as a cooling garment in extremely hot environment such as deserts. Heated garments are often used by hunters who tend to sit for extended periods of time in cold environments waiting for prey and are often isolated from populated areas and could be injured during an excursion and need to be seen by rescue personnel. Current heated garments provide no enhanced visibility features. Ever since heated garments have been used there has been a need for one invention that would provide an even distribution of heat over a substantial surface area of the garment while protecting against hot spots and burns. An invention that can accommodate a variety of chemical heat and cold pack sizes. An invention that uses highly visible fluorescent stitching for high visibility to enhance safety in low light environments. An invention that also includes a storable reflective material that could be used to alert rescue personnel looking for injured utility workers or lost hunters in the wilderness. The present invention addresses the aforementioned problems by using a structural design that is aimed at minimizing the negative effects thus increasing the likelihood that the individual will use the heated garment having overheating protection.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided an upper and lower garment that conforms to the body and includes a plurality of flexible and expandable pockets that are designed to house multiple sizes of replaceable chemical heat or chemical cooling packs. One of the pockets includes a three-sided Velcro release that allows deployment of a flexible reflective fabric that can be used to alert emergency rescue personnel during times of emergency in remote locations. Sewn directly to the fabric on the inner wall, inside each pocket is a thermally conductive high temperature resistance silicone coated fabric that provides burn and frost bite protection, radiates heat evenly in all directions from zero to twelve inches from heat source, protects the user from hot or cold spots, and rupture of the chemical heat or cold packs. The entire garment made from fire resistant fabric and is sewn using a 4 way flat lock stitching while using fluorescent thread to allow for superior visibility in low light or wilderness environments.

It would be advantageous to provide a garment with wicking ability

It would also be advantageous to provide a garment with thermally conductive materials

It would further be advantageous to provide a garment that was moisture conductive

It would also be advantageous to provide snug fitting sleeves

It would further be advantageous to provide a ½ inch waist band

It would also be advantageous to provide a 1 inch turtle neck

It would further be advantageous to provide snug fitting tapered ankle bands

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A complete understanding of the present invention may be obtained by reference to the accompanying drawings, when considered in conjunction with the subsequent, detailed description, in which:

For purposes of clarity and brevity, like elements and components will bear the same designations and numbering throughout the Figures.

FIG. 1 is a frontal view showing the heated garment having overheating protection 38 with the upper garment 10 and lower garment 36 separated for clarity.

FIG. 2 is a back view showing the heated garment having overheating protection 38 with the upper garment 10 and lower garment 36 separated for clarity.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 each element of the heated garment having overheating protection 38 is briefly described. A full description of the function and operation of the heated garment having overheating protection 38 will follow.

The heated garment having overheating protection 38 of the invention includes, an upper garment 10 and a lower garment 36 made from polyester nylon spandex fabric that has excellent wicking ability, and is thermal and moisture conductive. The upper garment 10 includes snug fitting sleeves to eliminate heat loss and protect against insects such as ticks. The upper garment 10 also includes a 1 inch turtle neck to help eliminate heat loss. The upper garment 10 and lower garment 36 include a multiple chemical heat pack 12 system. Each chemical heat pack 12 generates heat and is replaceable. Each chemical heat pack 12 is inserted into a flexible and expandable heat pack pocket 14 at each location using a Velcro closure 16 that may include side Velcro fastener left 20 and side Velcro fastener right 22 to allow the storage and deployment of optional accessories such as a reflective material 24 that has a highly reflective surface and can be made from any suitable material. Sewn to the inner wall of each heat pack pocket 14 is an extended protective liner 18 that is made using Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics TF1867 thermally conductive silicone coated fiberglass fabric. The TF1867 offers superior burn protection, radiates heat evenly from 0 to 12 inches in all directions from source, and allows more efficient use of the chemical heat pack 12 by providing superior heat dissipation. The TF1867 material also offers exceptional conformability. Using the TF1867 also offers superior heat regulation, eliminates hot spots and protects user form a rupture of the chemical heat pack 12. The upper garment 10 also includes a hand warmer pocket 26 for each hand that overlies the TF1867 extended liner providing evenly radiated heat to the user's hands. The lower garment 36 also includes ankle bands 34 for protection against ticks and other insects and fluorescent stitching 30 that allow for easy visibility in low light environments and during hunting excursions into wilderness areas where being visible to other hunters could enhance safety.

In operation and referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the heated garment having overheating protection 38 is worn by the user as an under or over garment. Each replaceable chemical heat pack 12 is inserted into each flexible and expandable heat pack pocket 14 using a Velcro closure 16. The material of the heat pack pocket 14 will expand to accommodate a variety chemical heat pack 12 sizes. Users such as utility workers or hunters on outdoor wilderness excursions could be injured and need to signal rescue personnel. The present invention includes side Velcro fastener left 20 and side Velcro fastener right 22 on one heat pack pocket 14 to allow for the stowage of a deployable reflective material 24 that can be used to alert rescue personnel. The user's hands are evenly warmed by inserting their hands into hand warmer pocket 26 that overlies the TF1867 material provided superior warming capabilities.

In addition, cooling packs can be substituted for the chemical heat pack 12 and the heated garment having overheating protection 38 can be used to keep users cool if suffering from heat exhaustion or other heat related conditions thus realizing the temperature regulation provided by the TF1867 material.

Since other modifications and changes varied to fit particular operating requirements and environments will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the invention is not considered limited to the example chosen for purposes of disclosure, and covers all changes and modifications which do not constitute departures from the true spirit and scope of this invention.

Having thus described the invention, what is desired to be protected by Letters Patent is presented in the subsequent appended claims.

Claims

1. A heated garment having overheating protection for keeping the user warm during cold weather while protecting the user from overheating or burns, comprising:

means for providing breathable protection from the elements;

means for providing a continuous source of heat;

means for providing a means to hold different sized heat packs, removably inserted to said means for providing a continuous source of heat, and flexibly coupled to said means for providing breathable protection from the elements;

means for providing a means to securely close heat pack pocket, removably attached to said means for providing breathable protection from the elements;

means for protection from and dispersion of heat, securely affixed to said means for providing breathable protection from the elements;

means for complete disclosure of a flexible reflective fabric, removably affixed to said means for providing breathable protection from the elements;

means for complete disclosure of flexible reflective fabric, removably affixed to said means for providing breathable protection from the elements;

means for signaling emergency rescue personnel, removably housed to said means for providing a means to hold different sized heat packs;

means for warming hands, securely affixed to said means for providing breathable protection from the elements;

means for strong junctions between fabric sections and high visibility, securely interwoven to said means for providing breathable protection from the elements;

means for preventing heat escape; and

means for providing breathable protection from the elements, flexibly encircling to said means for preventing heat escape.

2. The heated garment having overheating protection in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for providing breathable protection from the elements comprises a polyester nylon spandex fabric, wicking ability, thermally conductive, moisture conductive, snug fitting sleeve, 1 inch turtle neck, fluorescent thread, fire resistant fabric upper garment.

3. The heated garment having overheating protection in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for providing a continuous source of heat comprises a replaceable, heat generating chemical heat pack.

4. The heated garment having overheating protection in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for providing a means to hold different sized heat packs comprises a houses heat pack, flexible expandable material heat pack pocket.

5. The heated garment having overheating protection in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for providing a means to securely close heat pack pocket comprises a velcro closure.

6. The heated garment having overheating protection in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for protection from and dispersion of heat comprises a made from saint-gobain performance plastics thermalcool tf1867 material, burn protection, thermally conductive, high temperature resistance, conformable, disperses heat evenly, regulates heat, eliminates hot spots, protects against ruptured heat packs protective liner.

7. The heated garment having overheating protection in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for complete disclosure of a flexible reflective fabric comprises a side velcro fastener left.

8. The heated garment having overheating protection in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for complete disclosure of flexible reflective fabric comprises a side velcro fastener right.

9. The heated garment having overheating protection in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for signaling emergency rescue personnel comprises a highly reflective surface, stowable, flexible reflective material.

10. The heated garment having overheating protection in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for warming hands comprises an overlies protective liner hand warmer pocket.

11. The heated garment having overheating protection in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for strong junctions between fabric sections and high visibility comprises a 4 way flat lock stitching fluorescent stitching.

12. The heated garment having overheating protection in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for preventing heat escape comprises an ankle bands.

13. The heated garment having overheating protection in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for providing breathable protection from the elements comprises a 1.5 inch waist band, polyester nylon spandex fabric, wicking ability, thermally conductive, moisture conductive, flourescent stitching, fire resistant fabric lower garment.

14. A heated garment having overheating protection for keeping the user warm during cold weather while protecting the user from overheating or burns, comprising:

a polyester nylon spandex fabric, wicking ability, thermally conductive, moisture conductive, snug fitting sleeve, 1 inch turtle neck, fluorescent thread, fire resistant fabric upper garment, for providing breathable protection from the elements;

a replaceable, heat generating chemical heat pack, for providing a continuous source of heat;

a houses heat pack, flexible expandable material heat pack pocket, for providing a means to hold different sized heat packs, removably inserted to said chemical heat pack, and flexibly coupled to said upper garment;

a velcro closure, for providing a means to securely close heat pack pocket, removably attached to said upper garment;

a made from saint-gobain performance plastics thermalcool tf1867 material, burn protection, thermally conductive, high temperature resistance, conformable, disperses heat evenly, regulates heat, eliminates hot spots, protects against ruptured heat packs protective liner, for protection from and dispersion of heat, securely affixed to said upper garment;

a side velcro fastener left, for complete disclosure of a flexible reflective fabric, removably affixed to said upper garment;

a side velcro fastener right, for complete disclosure of flexible reflective fabric, removably affixed to said upper garment;

a highly reflective surface, stowable, flexible reflective material, for signaling emergency rescue personnel, removably housed to said heat pack pocket;

an overlies protective liner hand warmer pocket, for warming hands, securely affixed to said upper garment;

a 4 way flat lock stitching fluorescent stitching, for strong junctions between fabric sections and high visibility, securely interwoven to said upper garment;

an ankle bands, for preventing heat escape; and

a 1.5 inch waist band, polyester nylon spandex fabric, wicking ability, thermally conductive, moisture conductive, flourescent stitching, fire resistant fabric lower garment, for providing breathable protection from the elements, flexibly encircling to said ankle bands.

15. A heated garment having overheating protection for keeping the user warm during cold weather while protecting the user from overheating or burns, comprising:

a polyester nylon spandex fabric, wicking ability, thermally conductive, moisture conductive, snug fitting sleeve, 1 inch turtle neck, fluorescent thread, fire resistant fabric upper garment, for providing breathable protection from the elements;

a replaceable, heat generating chemical heat pack, for providing a continuous source of heat;

a houses heat pack, flexible expandable material heat pack pocket, for providing a means to hold different sized heat packs, removably inserted to said chemical heat pack, and flexibly coupled to said upper garment;

a velcro closure, for providing a means to securely close heat pack pocket, removably attached to said upper garment;

a made from saint-gobain performance plastics thermalcool tf1867 material, burn protection, thermally conductive, high temperature resistance, conformable, disperses heat evenly, regulates heat, eliminates hot spots, protects against ruptured heat packs protective liner, for protection from and dispersion of heat, securely affixed to said upper garment;

a side velcro fastener left, for complete disclosure of a flexible reflective fabric, removably affixed to said upper garment;

a side velcro fastener right, for complete disclosure of flexible reflective fabric, removably affixed to said upper garment;

a highly reflective surface, stowable, flexible reflective material, for signaling emergency rescue personnel, removably housed to said heat pack pocket;

an overlies protective liner hand warmer pocket, for warming hands, securely affixed to said upper garment;

a 4 way flat lock stitching fluorescent stitching, for strong junctions between fabric sections and high visibility, securely interwoven to said upper garment;

an ankle bands, for preventing heat escape; and

a 1.5 inch waist band, polyester nylon spandex fabric, wicking ability, thermally conductive, moisture conductive, flourescent stitching, fire resistant fabric lower garment, for providing breathable protection from the elements, flexibly encircling to said ankle bands.