ELECTRICALLY HEATED GARMENT

• US 20130037531A1
• Filed: 08/17/2012
• Published: 02/14/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 11/06/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation (Techtronic Industries Company Limited)
• Original Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation (Techtronic Industries Company Limited)
• Inventors: Gray, Rick, Zick, Jonathan A., Fry, Paul
• Application Number:
  US13/588,692
• Publication Number:
  US 20130037531A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 219/211
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 13/0051 Heated garments heated divers' suits B63C11/28
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 1/0272 For heating of fabrics

Abstract

An article of clothing including a garment body and a heating system coupled to the garment body. The heating system includes a plurality of heating zones configured to heat different portions of the garment body. A battery pack supplies power to the heating system. A controller selectively provides power from the battery pack to the multiple heating zones. A user input member is provided for selecting a mode of the controller.

Claims

1. An article of clothing comprising:

a garment body;

a heating system coupled to the garment body, the heating system including a plurality of heating zones configured to heat different portions of the garment body;

a battery pack for supplying power to the heating system;

a controller for selectively providing power from the battery pack to the heating zones; and

a user input member for selecting a mode of the controller.

2. The article of clothing of claim 1, wherein the user input member includes a first zone control button and a second zone control button to selectively control a respective first heating zone and a second heating zone of the multiple heating zones.

3. The article of clothing of claim 2, wherein the first zone control button selectively switches the first heating zone between an on mode and an off mode.

4. The article of clothing of claim 3, wherein the on mode includes a plurality of selectable thermal output levels.

5. The article of clothing of claim 1, wherein the user input member includes a display portion.

6. The article of clothing of claim 5, wherein the display portion is illuminated.

7. The article of clothing of claim 6, wherein the illumination indicates a control mode of each heating zone.

8. The article of clothing of claim 6, wherein illumination indicates a thermal output level of each heating zone.

9. The article of clothing of claim 1, wherein the user input member is coupled to an outside surface of the jacket.

10. The article of clothing of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to monitor a condition of each heating zone.

11. The article of clothing of claim 1, wherein each heating zone is defined by at least one heater array.

12. The article of clothing of claim 9, wherein a first heater array is disposed in both a left portion and a right portion of a torso body of the garment body, and a second heater array is disposed in a back portion of the garment body.

13. A method of operating a garment heated by a first electric heater and a second electric heater, powered by a battery pack, and controlled by a controller via a first user input and a second user input, the method comprising:

actuating the first user input to cause the first electric heater to enter a first thermal output mode;

actuating the second user input to cause the second electric heater to enter a second thermal output mode;

illuminating the first user input in response to entering the first thermal output mode;

illuminating the second user input in response to entering the second thermal output mode;

heating a first zone of the garment with the first electric heater, and heating a second zone of the garment with the second electric heater

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

actuating the first user input to cause the first electric heater to enter an off mode; and

actuating the second user input to cause the second electric heater to enter an off mode.

15. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

actuating the first user input to cause the first electric heater to enter a third thermal output mode different from the first thermal output mode and the off mode.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising:

actuating the second user input to cause the second electric heater to enter a fourth thermal output mode different from the second thermal output mode and the off mode.

17. The method of claim 15, further comprising:

illuminating the first user input member in response to entering the third thermal output mode.

18. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

monitoring a state of charge of the battery pack and causing the first electric heater and the second electric heater to enter the off mode in response to the state of charge.

19. The method of claim 13, further comprising powering a portable accessory device with battery pack.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the portable accessory device is a power tool.