Bi-ply fabric construction having a dormant global positioning system formed therewith

• US 7,616,112 B2
• Filed: 02/14/2005
• Issued: 11/10/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 01/23/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: HBI Branded Apparel Enterprises LLC (Hanesbrands Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: HBI Branded Apparel Enterprises LLC (Hanesbrands Incorporated)
• Inventors: Miller, Robert A. III
• Primary Examiner(s): BLOUNT, ERIC
• Application Number:
  US11/057,818
• Publication Number:
  US 20050252249A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,730 Days
• Field of Search: 340/539.13, 340/539.11, 701/213, 342/357.06, 342/357.07
• US Class Current: 340/539.13
• CPC Class Codes: D04B 1/123 with laid-in unlooped yarn, e.g. fleece fabrics with elastic weft yarn D04B1/18
• CPC Class Codes: D04B 1/14 Other fabrics or articles characterised primarily by the use of particular thread materials
• CPC Class Codes: D04B 1/22 specially adapted for knitting goods of particular configuration
• CPC Class Codes: D10B 2201/02 Cotton
• CPC Class Codes: D10B 2401/021 hydrophobic
• CPC Class Codes: D10B 2401/022 hydrophylic
• CPC Class Codes: D10B 2401/16 antistatic; conductive
• CPC Class Codes: D10B 2403/023 Fabric with at least two, predominantly unlinked, knitted or woven plies interlaced with each other at spaced locations or linked to a common internal co-extensive yarn system

Abstract

An article of apparel is provided for determining location information via a global positioning system and transmitting the location information to a remote location. The article of apparel comprises a fabric web having at least one yarn of wire formed within the fabric web. The yarn of wire forms an antenna for receipt and transmission of radio frequency signals. A GPS receiver is interconnected to the antenna, wherein the GPS receiver determines a location of the article of apparel via a global positioning system. A transmitter is provided to transmit the location of the article of apparel determined by the GPS receiver. A power supply is interconnected to the GPS receiver and the transmitter.

Claims

1. An article of apparel for determining location information via a global positioning system and transmitting the location information to a remote locator, comprising:

(a) two confronting fabric webs, one web overlying the other and the two webs being united at intervals;

(b) at least one yarn of wire formed between the confronting fabric webs, the at least one yarn of wire forming at least one antenna for receipt and transmission of radio frequency signals;

(c) a GPS receiver interconnected to the antenna, wherein the GPS receiver determines a location of the article of apparel via a global positioning system;

(d) a transmitter for transmitting the location of the article of apparel determined by the GPS receiver; and

(e) a power supply interconnected to the GPS receiver and the transmitter.

2. The article of apparel of claim 1 wherein the at least one yarn is selected from the group consisting of stainless steel, copper, nichromium, silver, and combinations thereof.

3. The article of apparel of claim 1 wherein the at least one yarn of wire is between 27 AWG and 33 AWG.

4. The article of apparel of claim 1 wherein the GPS receiver is configured to operate in a power conserving mode and to activate upon receipt of the signal from a remote locator.

5. The article of apparel of claim 1 wherein the transmitter is programmed to transmit the location information to a remote receiver upon receipt of a signal from the remote locator.

6. The article of apparel of claim 1 wherein the power supply is re-chargeable and configured to be re-charged by 120 volt, 60 cycle, AC power.

7. An article of apparel for determining location information via a global positioning system and transmitting the location information to a remote locator, comprising:

(a) two confronting webs, each web being formed by a series of continuous lengths of yarn extending generally parallel to one another and having loops arranged in walewise and coursewise rows;

(b) one web overlying the other and the two webs being united at intervals by a tuck stitch of yarn of one web engaging the other web, the tuck stitches being spaced apart walewise by a plurality of courses to create channels therebetween the stitches, the channels extending walewise of the webs;

(c) at least one yarn of wire inserted therein between the two fronting webs and held generally parallel to the coursewise rows by said tuck stitches, the at least one yarn of wire forming an antenna for receipt and transmission of radio frequency signals;

(d) a GPS receiver interconnected to the antenna, wherein the GPS receiver determines a location of the article of apparel via a global positioning system;

(e) a transmitter for transmitting the location of the article of apparel determined by the GPS receiver; and

(f) a power supply interconnected to the GPS receiver and the transmitter.

8. The article of apparel of claim 7 wherein the at least one yarn of wire is inserted under tension.

9. The article of apparel of claim 8 wherein the at least one yarn inserted under tension is selected from the group consisting of stainless steel, copper, nichromium, silver, and combinations thereof.

10. The article of apparel of claim 8 wherein the at least one yarn of wire inserted under tension is between 27 AWG and 33 AWG.

11. The article of apparel of claim 8 wherein the at least one yarn of wire inserted under tension is inserted at a tension of between about 4 grams and 6 grams.

12. The article of apparel of claim 7 wherein the power supply is configured to be re-charged by 120 volt, 60 cycle, AC power.

13. The article of apparel of claim 7 wherein the GPS receiver is configured to operate in a power conserving mode and to activate upon receipt of the signal from a remote locator.

14. The article of apparel of claim 7 wherein the transmitter is programmed to transmit the location information to a remote receiver upon receipt of a signal from the remote locator.

15. A system for determining location information via a global positioning system and transmitting the location information to a remote locator, comprising:

(a) an article of apparel, comprising;

(i) a fabric web;

(ii) at least one yarn of wire inserted under tension therein the fabric web, the at least one yarn of wire forming at least one antenna for receipt and transmission of radio frequency signals;

(iii) a GPS receiver interconnected to the antenna, wherein the GPS receiver determines a location of the article of apparel via a global positioning system;

(iv) a transmitter for transmitting the location of the article of apparel determined by the GPS receiver;

(v) a power supply interconnected to the GPS receiver and the transmitter; and

(b) a remote locator.

16. The system of claim 15 wherein the at least one yarn inserted under tension is selected from the group consisting of stainless steel, copper, nichromium, silver, and combinations thereof.

17. The system of claim 15 wherein the at least one yarn of wire inserted under tension is between 27 AWG and 33 AWG.

18. The system of claim 16 wherein the at least one yarn of wire inserted under tension is inserted at a tension of between about 4 grams and 6 grams.

19. The system of claim 15 wherein the power supply is configured to be re-charged by 120 volt, 60 cycle, AC power.

20. The article of apparel of claim 15 wherein the GPS receiver is configured to operate in a power conserving mode and to activate upon receipt of the signal from a remote locator.

21. The article of apparel of claim 15 wherein the transmitter is programmed to transmit the location information to a remote receiver upon receipt of a signal from the remote locator.