Adjustable insulation apparatus

• US 6,668,385 B2
• Filed: 03/28/2002
• Issued: 12/30/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/28/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Stephen A. Gathings Jr
• Original Assignee: Stephen A. Gathings Jr
• Inventors: Gathings, Stephen A. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): PATEL, TAJASH D
• Application Number:
  US10/109,337
• Publication Number:
  US 20030182708A1
• Time in Patent Office: 642 Days
• Field of Search: 2 9/7, 210/2, 210/8, 2 6/9, 2 6/95, 2 9/3, 2 9/4, 2 8/1, 245/6, 245/8
• US Class Current: 2/97
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 27/04 Removable linings
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 3/02 Overcoats
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 31/06 Thermally protective, e.g. insulating

Abstract

An adjustable insulation apparatus attaches to a garment to manage the body heat of the user. The apparatus includes a lining that may be extended to substantially the width of the garment worn by the user or retracted to reduce the area surrounding the user. The apparatus includes controllers for moving the lining between the extended position and the retracted position, which include extension cords and retraction cords connected to the lining. The extension cord is connected between a proximal end of the lining and an extension grip. The retraction cord is connected between the proximal end of the lining and a retraction grip. In the extended position, the lining surrounds a substantial portion of the user. When the retraction grips are drawn, the proximal end of the lining will be moved toward the distal end of the lining. To return the lining to the extended position, the user will pull the extension grips and the proximal end of the lining will move away from the distal end of the lining.

Claims

1. An adjustable insulation apparatus attached to a garment, the adjustable insulation apparatus comprising:

a lining having a proximal end and a distal end, said distal end coupled to the garment; and

a control assembly to move said lining about the garment, said control assembly being connected to said proximal end of said lining;

wherein said control assembly positions said lining between a non-insulating position and an insulating position.

2. The adjustable insulation apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein said lining comprises an insulated material.

3. The adjustable insulation apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein said control assembly comprises at least one extension cord having a first end and a second end, wherein said first end of said at least one extension cord is connected to said proximal end of said lining.

4. The adjustable insulation apparatus as described in claim 3 further comprising a proximal collection member connected to the garment, wherein said at least one extension cord traverses said proximal collection member.

5. The adjustable insulation apparatus as described in claim 4 wherein said proximal collection member comprises a tube.

6. The adjustable insulation apparatus as described in claim 4 wherein said proximal collection member comprises at least one ring.

7. The adjustable insulation apparatus as described in claim 3 further comprising

a cord retraction cylinder including

a first cylindrical segment having a first diameter; and

a second cylindrical segment having a second diameter greater than said first diameter, said second cylindrical segment abutting said first cylindrical segment; and

a pull cord wound around said second cylindrical segment;

wherein said at least one extension cord engages said first cylindrical segment.

8. The adjustable insulation apparatus as described in claim 3, wherein said control assembly comprises at least one retraction cord having a first end and a second end, wherein said first end of said at least one retraction cord is connected to said proximal end of said lining.

9. The adjustable insulation apparatus as described in claim 8 further comprising a distal collection member connected to the garment, wherein said at least one retraction cord traverses said distal collection member.

10. The adjustable insulation apparatus as described in claim 9 wherein said distal collection member comprises a tube.

11. The adjustable insulation apparatus as described in claim 9 wherein said distal collection member comprises at least one ring.

12. The adjustable insulation apparatus as described in claim 8 further comprising at least one positioning bracket connected to said lining, wherein said at least one retraction cord traverses said positioning bracket.

13. The adjustable insulation apparatus as described in claim 8, wherein said second end of said at least one retraction cord is connected to said second end of said at least one extension cord.

14. The adjustable insulation apparatus as described in claim 3, further comprising:

a first retraction cord attached to said proximal end of said lining and crossing said lining toward said distal end wherein said first retraction cord is substantially orthogonal to said proximal end and said distal end;

a second retraction cord attached to said proximal end of said lining and crossing said lining toward said distal end wherein said second retraction cord is substantially orthogonal to said proximal end and said distal end, and said second retraction cord is substantially parallel to said first retraction cord;

a plurality of first support brackets connected to said lining in a first row, wherein said first retraction cord traverses said first support brackets; and

a plurality of second support brackets connected to said lining in a second row, wherein said second retraction cord traverses said second support brackets.

15. The adjustable insulation apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein said lining comprises a synthetic fiber material.

16. A garment having adjustable insulation for regulating the temperature of a user'"'"'s body, said garment comprising:

a shell;

a lining having a first end and a second end, said second end of said lining connected to said shell; and

moving means for repositioning said lining between a retracted position and an extended position, said moving means connected to said first end of said lining.

17. The garment as described in claim 16 wherein said moving means comprises:

at least one retraction cord having a first end and a second end, said second end being connected to said first end of said lining; and

at least one extension cord having a first end and a second end, said first end being connected to said first end of said lining;

wherein said lining retracts when said unattached end of said retraction cord is drawn and wherein said lining extends when said unattached end of said extension cord is drawn.

18. The garment as described in claim 17 wherein said moving means further comprises:

a proximal collection member attached to the garment, wherein each said extension cord traverses said proximal collection member; and

a distal collection member attached to the garment, wherein each said retraction cord traverses said distal collection member.

19. The garment as described in claim 16 wherein said moving means comprises:

at least one retraction cord having an affixed end and a control end, wherein said affixed end is attached to said first end of said lining; and

at least one extension cord having an affixed end a control end, wherein said affixed end is attached to said first end of said lining and said control end of said extension cord is attached to said control end of said retraction cord.

20. An adjustable insulation apparatus affixed to a garment, the adjustable insulation apparatus comprising:

an insulating material having a proximal end and a distal end, said distal end coupled to the garment; and

moving means for repositioning said lining between an insulated position substantially surrounding the garment and a non-insulated position bordering a portion of the garment, said moving means connected to a first end of said insulating material.

21. The adjustable insulation apparatus as described in claim 20, wherein said moving means comprises at least one extension cord having a first end and a second end, wherein said first end of said at least one extension cord is connected to said proximal end of said insulating material.

22. The adjustable insulation apparatus as described in claim 20, wherein said moving means comprises at least one retraction cord having a first end and a second end, wherein said first end of said at least one retraction cord is connected to said proximal end of said lining.

23. The adjustable insulation apparatus as described in claim 20, wherein said moving means further comprises:

a first retraction cord attached to said proximal end of said insulating material and crossing said insulating material toward said distal end wherein said first retraction cord is substantially orthogonal to said proximal end and said distal end;

a second retraction cord attached to said proximal end of said lining and crossing said lining toward said distal end wherein said second retraction cord is substantially orthogonal to said proximal end and said distal end, and said second retraction cord is substantially parallel to said first retraction cord;

a plurality of first support brackets connected to said lining in a first row, wherein said first retraction cord traverses said first support brackets; and

a plurality of second support brackets connected to said lining in a second row, wherein said second retraction cord traverses said second support brackets.