Heated liner for wearing under an upper torso garment

• US 6,439,942 B1
• Filed: 01/30/2001
• Issued: 08/27/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 01/30/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Bala H. Pillai, Meghan Kathleen Pillai
• Original Assignee: Bala H. Pillai, Meghan Kathleen Pillai
• Inventors: Pillai, Meghan Kathleen, Pillai, Bala H.
• Primary Examiner(s): BASINGER, SHERMAN D
• Application Number:
  US09/771,611
• Publication Number:
  US 20020146948A1
• Time in Patent Office: 574 Days
• Field of Search: 441/102-119, 219/211, 245/8, 290/5
• US Class Current: 441/106
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 13/0051 Heated garments heated divers' suits B63C11/28
• CPC Class Codes: B63C 9/11 covering the torso, e.g. harnesses B63C9/081 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 2/905 Electric

Abstract

A heated liner that is worn under an upper torso garment. The liner includes an upper torso-covering garment that underlies the upper torso garment, heating wires, storage batteries that are in electrical communication with, and power, the heating wires, solar cells that are in electrical communication with, and recharge, the storage batteries, and a thermostat that is in electrical communication with, and regulates the heat generated by, the heating wires.

Claims

1. A heated liner for wearing under an upper torso garment, wherein the upper torso garment includes a back-covering portion and a chest-covering portion, said liner comprising:

a) an upper torso-covering garment for underlying the upper torso garment;

b) heating wires disposed in said upper torso-covering garment for generating heat;

c) storage batteries in electrical communication with, and powering, said heating wires;

d) solar cells in electrical communication with, and recharging, said storage batteries; and

e) a thermostat in electrical communication with, and for regulating the heat generated by, said heating wires;

wherein said upper torso-covering garment is flexible, conforming, and comprises;

i) a back-covering portion for underlying the back-covering portion of the upper torso garment; and

ii) a chest-covering portion for underlying the chest-covering portion of the upper torso garment; and

wherein said storage batteries comprise chest batteries that are disposed on opposite sides of said chest-covering portion of said upper torso-covering garment for balance.

2. The liner as defined in claim 1, wherein said heating wires form a continuous serpentine pattern throughout said chest-covering portion of said upper torso-covering garment and said back-covering portion of said upper torso-covering garment.

3. The liner as defined in claim 1, wherein said storage batteries comprise back batteries that are disposed on opposite sides of said back-covering portion of said upper torso-covering garment for balance.

4. The liner as defined in claim 1, wherein said solar cells comprise chest solar cells that extend from uppermost portions of said chest-covering portion of said upper torso-covering garment, by lengths of chest wire for allowing said-chest solar cells to pass freely through openings in the chest-covering portion of the upper torso garment and be replaceably attached thereto by hook and loop fasteners for exposure to the sun.

5. The liner as defined in claim 1, wherein said solar cells comprise back solar cells that extend from uppermost portions of said back-covering portion of said upper torso-covering garment, by lengths of back wire for allowing said back solar cells to pass freely through openings in the back-covering portion of the upper torso garment and be replaceably attached thereto by hook and loop fasteners for exposure to the sun.

6. The liner as defined in claim 1, wherein said thermostat extends from said chest-covering portion of said upper torso-covering garment, by lengths of thermostat wire for allowing said thermostat to pass freely through an opening in the chest-covering portion of the upper torso garment and be replaceably attached thereto by hook and loop fasteners.