ILLUMINATED SAFETY VEST

• US 20140268685A1
• Filed: 10/18/2012
• Published: 09/18/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 10/18/2011
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Lightknight International Limited
• Original Assignee: Lightknight International Limited
• Inventors: McLisky, Sigrid Alice Sylvia
• Application Number:
  US14/352,042
• Publication Number:
  US 20140268685A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/108
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 13/01 with reflective or luminous safety means visible signalling arrangements G08B5/00
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 5/02 Fastening articles to the garment
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/023 Power supplies in a casing F21V23/003 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 33/0008 Clothing or clothing accessories, e.g. scarfs, gloves or belts
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2121/06 for personal wear

Abstract

Apparatus and methods for illuminating garments and articles with light sources such as electroluminescent (EL) panels or LED strips, via open channels attached to the garments. The open channels are configured to securely hold the panels or strips via friction fit, while exposing a large region of the upper surface of the panels or strips. The panels or strips are removably inserted into the open channels, and a control unit is provided for controlling all the panels and/or strips on the garment.

Claims

1. A garment or article to be worn or carried comprising:

at least one length of open faced channel fixed to said garment or article, said channel adapted to detachably receive and secure at least one strip or panel of an illuminating light source.

2. A garment or article as claimed in claim 1, wherein said channel is elongate and comprises a base and two opposed side walls extending from opposing sides of said base, and wherein at least one said side wall includes a lip portion extending from said side wall to secure said strip or panel within said channel.

3. A garment or article as claimed in claim 2, wherein both said side walls include a lip portion extending from said side wall to secure said strip or panel within said channel.

4. A garment or article as claimed in claim 2 or claim 3, wherein said lip is substantially parallel to, but spaced apart from, said base and wherein when said strip or panel is inserted into the space between said base and said lip, said strip or panel is held securely said lip, and

a portion of the top face of said strip or panel, adjacent said lip, is exposed.

5. A garment or article as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein said lip is configured to secure said strip or panel via a friction fit.

6. A garment or article as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein at least one of the two ends of the channel is open to allow insertion of said strip or panel.

7. A garment or article as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said garment includes a plurality of said channels.

8. A garment or article as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said channel is flexible.

9. A garment or article as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said channel is made of extruded plastic.

10. A garment or article as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said channel is fixed to said garment or article by gluing, sewing or riveting the base of said channel to said garment or article.

11. A garment or article as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said channel is removably fixed to said garment or article via means which include hook and loop fasteners, buttons or zips.

12. A garment or article as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said illuminating light source is any one or more of:

a) a strip or panel of LEDs,

b) Electro Luminescent panel

c) a strip or panel of OLEDs.

13. A garment or article as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said strip or panel is enclosed in a substantially transparent plastic sheath.

14. A garment or article as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein a pull tag is attached to at least one end of said strip or panel to aid insertion of said strip or panel into said channel.

15. A garment or article as claimed in claim 14, wherein said pull tag is over-moulded to at least one end of said strip or panel.

16. A garment or article as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said garment further comprises a control unit configured to control the illuminating light source.

17. A garment or article as claimed in claim 16, wherein said control unit includes a battery power source.

18. A garment or article as claimed in claim 16 or 17, wherein said garment includes a safety relay which discontinues high voltage power supply to said strip or panel when said control unit is disconnected from said strip or panel.

19. A garment or article as claimed in claim 16 or 17, wherein said relay is in said control unit.

20. A garment or article as claimed in claim 16 or 17, wherein said disconnection occurs at a plug or socket and said relay is located in said plug or socket.

21. A garment or article as claimed in any one of claims 16 to 20, wherein said control unit includes a thermal switch which discontinues high voltage power supply to said strip or panel when the temperature in said control unit exceeds a predetermined threshold.

22. A garment or article as claimed in any one of claims 17 to 21, wherein said control unit includes an audio signalling device for providing audible warnings when the charge level of said battery power supply drops below a predetermined threshold.

23. A garment or article as claimed in claim 22, wherein said audible warnings may be switched off temporarily, but will restart automatically after a predetermined time interval.

24. A garment or article as claimed in claim 22 or 23, wherein said audio signalling device and switch to temporarily turn off said audio signalling device are sealed in a water-resistant seal within or on said control unit.

25. A garment or article as claimed in any one of claims 19 to 24, wherein said control unit includes at least one light source for indicating charge level of said battery source.

26. A garment or article as claimed in any one of claims 16 to 25, wherein a pocket is provided for removably attaching said control unit onto said garment or article, said pocket being made of a substantially transparent plastic.

27. A garment or article as claimed in any one of claims 17 to 26, wherein said control unit includes an integrated circuit controlling any one or more of the following operations:

a) Providing various modes for lighting said strip or panel, including flashing and constant lighting.

b) Protecting charging input voltage against over voltage and reverse-polarity voltage.

c) Controlling and limiting charge current and voltage of said battery power supply to prevent any overcharging of the battery.

d) Protecting said battery from excessive discharge via low-battery cut-off.

e) Limiting output current so that if excessive current is drawn by said panel or strip, power circuitry in said control unit will instantly shut down.

f) Protecting said battery supply and said circuit with a protection circuit module (PCM).

28. A garment or article as claimed in any one of claims 17 to 27, wherein a charging station is provided to recharge said battery power source of said control unit, and wherein said charging station is powered by an electrical outlet and configured to receive at least one control unit.

29. A garment or article as claimed in claim 28, wherein said charging station recharges said battery power source via inductive power transfer.

30. A garment or article as claimed in claim 28 or 29, wherein said charging station is adapted to gang together with at least one other like charging station, and wherein all ganged charging stations are powered by a power source from a single charging station.

31. A garment or article as claimed in any one of claims 28 to 30, wherein said charging station is additionally or alternatively powered by solar energy.

32. A garment or article as claimed in any one of claims 17 to 31, wherein said control unit includes a USB port for connecting to a computer via USB connection, and said battery supply is rechargeable via said USB connection.

33. A garment or article as claimed in any one of claims 16 to 32, wherein said control unit includes a data logging circuit and microprocessor for collecting and storing data.

34. A garment or article as claimed in claim 33, wherein said control unit includes a screen for displaying data on said control unit.

35. A garment or article as claimed in claim 33 or 34, wherein said USB port can be used to transfer data between said control unit and a computer.

36. A garment or article as claimed in claim 33 or 34, wherein said data is transferred between said control unit and a computer via wireless means.

37. A garment or article as claimed in any one of claims 16 to 36, wherein said garment or article comprises multiple channels each holding a strip or panel of said light source, wherein all of said strips or panels are electrically connected together, and wherein said control unit controls all of said strips or panels.

38. A garment or article as claimed in claim 37, wherein said electrical connection between a pair of said strips or panels is via a tensioning connector, which allows the distance between said strips or panels to be reversibly adjusted.

39. A garment or article as claimed in claim 38, wherein a water-resistant tensioning connector cover is provided to protect said tensioning connector.

40. A garment or article as claimed in claim 39, wherein said tensioning connector cover is made of a flexible plastic.

41. A garment or article as claimed in any one of claims 37 to 40, wherein said control unit controls all of said strips or panels via an electrical connection to one of said strips or panels.

42. A garment or article as claimed in claim 41, wherein a water-resistant over-moulded connector is provided to substantially encapsulate and protect said electrical connection between said control unit and said strip or panel.

43. A garment or article as claimed in claim 42, wherein said over-moulded connector is made of a moulding adhesive or flexible plastic material.

44. A garment or article as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein a light-sensitive element for controlling said strip or panel is provided, and wherein said switch turns on said strip or panel when the ambient light level is lower than a predetermined threshold.

45. A garment or article as claimed in claim 44, wherein said light-sensitive switch is located in or on said water-resistant cover.

46. A garment or article as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said garment or article is of a fluorescent material and includes reflective strips.

47. A kit for illuminating garments or articles to be worn or carried, comprising:

at least one strip or panel of an illuminating light source,

at least one open channel into which said strip or panel may be removably inserted, and

a control unit for controlling said strip or panel.

48. A kit as claimed in claim 47, wherein said open channel comprises:

a base which is attachable to said garment or article,

two opposed side walls extending from opposing sides of said base, and a top lip extending from at least one sidewall, said top lip being substantially parallel to but spaced apart from the base,

wherein said strip or panel, when inserted into the space between the base and the lip, is held securely by the lip, and wherein

a portion of the top face of said strip or panel, adjacent said lip, is exposed.

49. A kit as claimed in claim 48 wherein top lips extend from both sidewalls, and wherein said exposed portion of said strip or panel is between said two lips.

50. A kit as claimed in claim 48 or 49, wherein at least one of the two ends of the channel are open to allow insertion of said strip or panel.

51. A kit as claimed in any one of claims 47 to 50, wherein said channel is flexible.

52. A kit as claimed in any one of claims 47 to 51, wherein said channel is substantially the same length as said strip or panel.

53. A kit as claimed in any one of claims 47 to 52, wherein said channel is made from extruded plastic.

54. A kit as claimed in any one of claims 47 to 53, wherein said channel is permanently attached to said garment or article by gluing, sewing or riveting the base of the channel to said garment or article.

55. A kit as claimed in any one of claims 47 to 53, wherein said channel is removably fixed to said garment or article via means which include Velcro, buttons and zips.

56. A kit as claimed in any one of claims 47 to 55, wherein said illuminating light source is any one or more of:

a) a strip or panel of LEDs,

b) Electro Luminescent panel

c) a strip or panel of OLEDs.

57. A kit as claimed in any one of claims 47 to 56 wherein said strip or panel is enclosed in a substantially transparent plastic sheath.

58. A kit as claimed in any one of claims 47 to 57, wherein a pull tag is attached to at least one end of said strip or panel to aid insertion of said strip or panel into said channel.

59. A kit as claimed in claim 58, wherein said pull tag is over-moulded to at least one end of said strip or panel.

60. A kit as claimed in any one of claims 47 to 59, wherein said control unit is powered by a battery supply.

61. A kit as claimed in any one of claims 47 to 60, wherein said control unit includes a safety relay which discontinues high voltage power supply to said strip or panel when said control unit is disconnected from said strip or panel.

62. A kit as claimed in claim 61, wherein said safety relay operates on a substantially lower voltage than said strip or panel.

63. A kit as claimed in any one of claims 47 to 62, wherein said control unit includes a thermal switch which discontinues high voltage power supply to said strip or panel when the temperature in said control unit exceeds a predetermined threshold.

64. A kit as claimed in any one of claims 60 to 63, wherein said control unit includes an audio signalling device for providing audible warnings when the charge level of said battery power supply drops below a predetermined threshold.

65. A kit as claimed in claim 64, wherein said audible warnings may be switched off temporarily, but will restart automatically after a predetermined interval.

66. A kit as claimed in claim 65, wherein said audio signalling device and switch to temporarily turn off said audio signalling device are sealed in a water-resistant seal within or on said control unit.

67. A kit as claimed in any one of claims 60 to 66, wherein said control unit includes at least one light source for indicating charge level of said battery source.

68. A kit as claimed in any one of claims 47 to 67, wherein a pocket is provided for removably attaching said control unit onto said garment or article, said pocket being made of a substantially transparent plastic.

69. A kit as claimed in any one of claims 60 to 68, wherein said control unit includes an integrated circuit controlling any one or more of the following operations:

a) Providing various modes for lighting said strip or panel, including flashing and constant lighting.

b) Protecting charging input voltage against over voltage and reverse-polarity voltage.

c) Controlling and limiting charge current and voltage of said battery power supply to prevent any overcharging of the battery.

d) Protecting said battery from excessive discharge via low-battery cut-off.

e) Limiting output current so that if excessive current is drawn by said panel or strip, power circuitry in said control unit will instantly shut down.

f) Protecting said battery supply and said circuit with a protection circuit module (PCM).

70. A kit as claimed in any one of claims 60 to 69, wherein a charging station is provided to recharge said battery power source of said control unit, and wherein said charging station is powered by an electrical outlet and configured to receive at least one control unit.

71. A kit as claimed in claim 70, wherein said charging station recharges said battery power source via inductive power transfer.

72. A kit as claimed in claim 70 or 71, wherein said charging station is adapted to gang together with at least one other like charging station, and wherein all ganged charging stations are powered by a power source from a single charging station.

73. A kit as claimed in any one of claims 70 to 72, wherein said charging station is additionally or alternatively powered by solar energy.

74. A kit as claimed in any one of claims 60 to 73, wherein said control unit includes a USB port for connecting to a computer via USB connection, and said battery supply is rechargeable via said USB connection.

75. A kit as claimed in any one of claims 47 to 74, wherein said control unit includes a data logging circuit and microprocessor for collecting and recording data.

76. A kit as claimed in claim 75, wherein said control unit includes a screen for displaying data on said control unit.

77. A kit as claimed in claim 75 or 76, wherein said USB port can be used to transfer data between said control unit and a computer.

78. A kit as claimed in claim 75 or 76, wherein said data is transferred between said control unit and a computer via wireless means.

79. A kit as claimed in any one of claims 47 to 78, wherein said kit is used to retrofit an existing garment or article with said illuminating light strips or panels.

80. A kit as claimed in any one of claims 47 to 79, wherein said kit comprises multiple light strips or panels and multiple channels, wherein all of said strips or panels are electrically connected together, and wherein said control unit controls all of said strips or panels.

81. A kit as claimed in claim 80, wherein said electrical connection between a pair of said strips or panels is via a tensioning connector, which allows the distance between said strips or panels to be reversibly adjusted.

82. A kit as claimed in claim 81, wherein a water-resistant tensioning connector cover is provided to protect said tensioning connector.

83. A kit as claimed in claim 82, wherein said tensioning connector cover is made of a flexible plastic.

84. A kit as claimed in any one of claims 80 to 83, wherein said control unit controls all of said strips or panels via an electrical connection to one of said strips or panels.

85. A kit as claimed in claim 84, wherein a water-resistant over-moulded connector is provided to substantially encapsulate and protect said electrical connection between said control unit and said strip or panel.

86. A kit as claimed in claim 85, wherein said over-moulded connector is made of a moulding adhesive or flexible plastic material.

87. A kit as claimed in any one of claims 47 to 86, wherein a light-sensitive element for controlling said strip or panel is provided, wherein said switch turns on said strip or panel when the ambient light level is lower than a predetermined threshold.

88. A kit as claimed in claim 87, wherein said light-sensitive switch is located in or on said water-resistant cover.

89. A control unit operatively connected to at least one remote strip or panel of an illuminating light source, said strip or panel being removably attached to a garment or article to be worn or carried, said control unit comprising:

i. a housing and

ii. a power supply for said strip or panel.

90. A control unit as claimed in claim 89, wherein said power supply is a battery power source located in said housing.

91. A control unit as claimed in any one of claims 89 to 90, wherein said control unit includes a safety relay, located in said housing, which discontinues high voltage power supply to said strip or panel when said control unit is disconnected from said strip or panel.

92. A control unit as claimed in claim 91, wherein said safety relay operates on a substantially lower voltage than said strip or panel.

93. A control unit as claimed in any one of claims 89 to 92, wherein said control unit includes a thermal switch, located in said housing, which discontinues high voltage power supply to said strip or panel when the temperature in said control unit exceeds a predetermined threshold.

94. A control unit as claimed in any one of claims 90 to 93, wherein said control unit includes an audio signalling device for providing audible warnings when the charge level of said battery power supply drops below a predetermined threshold.

95. A control unit as claimed in claim 94, wherein said audible warnings may be switched off temporarily, but will restart automatically after a predetermined interval.

96. A control unit as claimed in claim 95, wherein said audio signalling device and switch to temporarily turn off said audio signalling device are sealed in a water-resistant seal within or on said control unit.

97. A control unit as claimed in any one of claims 90 to 96, wherein said control unit includes at least one light source for indicating charge level of said battery source.

98. A control unit as claimed in any one of claims 89 to 97, wherein a water-resistant pocket is provided for removably attaching said control unit onto said garment or article, said water-resistant pocket being made of a substantially transparent plastic.

99. A control unit as claimed in any one of claims 90 to 98, wherein said control unit includes an integrated circuit controlling any one or more of the following operations:

a) Providing various modes for lighting said strip or panel, including flashing and constant lighting.

b) Protecting charging input voltage against over voltage and reverse-polarity voltage.

c) Controlling and limiting charge current and voltage of said battery power supply to prevent any overcharging of the battery.

d) Protecting said battery from excessive discharge via low-battery cut-off,

e) Limiting output current so that if excessive current is drawn by said panel or strip, power circuitry in said control unit will instantly shut down.

f) Protecting said battery supply and said circuit with a protection circuit module (PCM).

100. A control unit as claimed in any one of claims 90 to 99, wherein a charging station is provided to recharge said battery power source of said control unit, and wherein said charging station is powered by an electrical outlet and configured to receive at least one control unit.

101. A control unit as claimed in claim 100, wherein said charging station recharges said battery power source via inductive power transfer.

102. A control unit as claimed in claim 100 or 101, wherein said charging station is adapted to gang together with at least one other like charging station, and wherein all ganged charging stations are powered by a power source from a single charging station.

103. A control unit as claimed in any one of claims 100 to 102, wherein said charging station is additionally or alternatively powered by solar energy.

104. A control unit as claimed in any one of claims 90 to 103, wherein said control unit includes a USB port for connecting to a computer via USB connection, and said battery supply is rechargeable via said USB connection.

105. A control unit as claimed in claim 89 to 104, wherein said control unit includes a data logging circuit and microprocessor for collecting and recording data.

106. A control unit as claimed in claim 105, wherein said control unit includes a screen for displaying data on said control unit.

107. A control unit as claimed in claim 105 or 106, wherein said USB port can be used to transfer data between said control unit and a computer.

108. A control unit as claimed in claim 105 or 106, wherein said data is transferred between said control unit and a computer via wireless means.

109. A garment or article substantially as herein described and with reference to any one or more on the drawings.

110. A kit of parts for retro-fitting a garment or article with illuminating elements substantially as herein described and/or with reference to any one or more on the drawings.

111. A spark reducing connector substantially as herein described and/or with reference to any one or more on the drawings.

112. A tensioning connector substantially as herein described and/or with reference to any one or more on the drawings.

113. A charger adapted to gang together with like chargers substantially as herein described and/or with reference to any one or more on the drawings.