Heated garment

• US 7,891,019 B2
• Filed: 10/18/2005
• Issued: 02/22/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 10/19/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Andrew A. Goldfine
• Original Assignee: Andrew A. Goldfine
• Inventors: Goldfine, Andrew A.
• Primary Examiner(s): PATEL, TAJASH D
• Application Number:
  US11/252,537
• Publication Number:
  US 20060080756A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,953 Days
• Field of Search: 245/5, 245/6, 2463-465, 2 6/9, 2 6/95, 2 9/2, 210/2, 210/8, 2DI/G 3, 441/87, 441/88, 441/102, 441/106, 441/108
• US Class Current: 2/69
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 13/0051 Heated garments heated divers' suits B63C11/28
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 19/01535 Heated gloves
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2007/0071 using a resistor, e.g. near the spot to be heated
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2007/0091 inflatable
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 7/007 characterised by electric heating

Abstract

A heatable garment having a plurality of layers is shown. The first layer is an outer fabric layer of any fabric which is lightweight, durable and treatable and may also be air impervious. Cooperating with the outer fabric layer is an envelope or inflatable bladder having a plurality of interconnected chambers. A further inner layer adjacent the envelope or bladder is a heat producing element such as a plurality of imbedded heating wires woven into a supporting fabric. The supporting fabric may, however, comprise the inner wall of the inflatable envelope. A source of heat energy, such as a battery, is connected to the heat producing element to heat the inner fabric liner. Inflation of the inflatable bladder urges the heat producing element into intimate contact with the body of the wearer. The inflatable bladder also form fits the garment on the body of the wearer and provides insulation against heat loss.

Claims

1. An article of clothing comprising:

a) a layered construction fitted to conform to a predetermined portion of an animal body, the layered construction comprising;

i) an outer fabric layer;

ii) a first inner layer adjacent the outer fabric layer, said first inner layer being inflatable;

iii) a second inner layer adjacent the first inner layer, the second inner layer comprising a heat producing element and wherein the inflatable layer, when inflated, urges the heat producing element into more intimate contact with the predetermined portion of the animal body, said heat producing element includes electrical resistance panels in electrical communication with an electrical current source powering the electrical resistance panel; and

iv) an innermost fabric liner adapted to be closest to the animal body when the article is being worn.

2. The article of clothing of claim 1 wherein said article is fitted to conform to a torso of the animal body.

3. The article of clothing of claim 1 and further including an electrical lead for coupling the electrical current source to the electrical resistance panels.

4. The article of clothing of claim 2 wherein the article is a vest.

5. The article of clothing of claim 2 wherein the article is a jacket.

6. An article of clothing comprising:

a) a layered construction fitted to conform to a predetermined portion of an animal body, the layered construction comprising;

i) an outer air impervious fabric layer;

ii) an inner air impervious layer joined to the outer layer to from an inflatable envelope; and

iii) heat energy producing member arranged adjacent the inner layer, such that inflation of the inflatable envelope urges the heat energy producing layer against the body of a wearer, wherein the heat energy producing member is an electrical resistance panel in electrical communication with an electrical power source to provide an electrical current to the electrical resistance panel.

7. The article of clothing of claim 6 wherein said article is fitted to conform to a torso of the animal body.

8. The article of clothing of claim 6 and further including a means for connecting the heat producing element to a vehicle battery.

9. The article of clothing of claim 8 and further including an electrical lead for coupling the vehicle battery to the heat producing element.

10. The article of clothing of claim 7 wherein the article is a vest.

11. The article of clothing of claim 7 wherein the article is a jacket.

12. An article of clothing of a layered construction fitted to conform to a predetermined portion of an animal body, the layered construction comprising:

a) an outer fabric layer;

b) a first inner layer adjacent the outer fabric layer, said first inner layer being inflatable;

c) a second inner layer adjacent the first inner layer wherein said second inner layer is a heatable layer that includes electrical resistance panels adapted to be connected to a power source of electrical current; and

d) an innermost fabric liner adapted to be closest to the animal body when the article is being worn, wherein when the first layer is inflated, the first layer urges the electrical resistance panel into more intimate contact with the predetermined portion of the animal body.

13. The article of clothing of claim 12 wherein said article is fitted to conform to the torso of the animal body.

14. The article of clothing of claim 12 and further including an electric lead coupling the power source to the electrical resistance panel.

15. An article of clothing of a layered construction fitted to conform to a predetermined portion of an animal body, the layered construction comprising:

a) an outer fabric layer;

b) a first inner layer adjacent the outer fabric layer, said first inner layer being inflatable;

c) a heatable layer constructed of a conductive, woven polymer capable of becoming heated when an electrical current is made to flow through the fabric, a source of an electrical current coupled to said conductive woven polymer by an electrical lead;

d) the inflatable layer, when inflated, urges the heatable layer in more intimate contact with the predetermined portion of the animal body; and

e) an innermost fabric liner adapted to be closest to the animal body when the article is being worn.

16. The article of clothing of claim 15 wherein said article is fitted to conform to the torso of the animal body.

17. The article of clothing of claim 15 wherein the article is a vest.

18. The article of clothing of claim 15 wherein the article is a jacket.

19. An article of clothing of a layered construction fitted to conform to a predetermined portion of an animal body, the layered construction comprising:

a) an outer fabric layer;

b) an inflatable layer adjacent to the outer fabric layer, the inflatable layer made of an envelope of air impermeable material sealed together along its edges, an air inlet valve sealably connected to the envelope at an opening; and

c) a heatable layer including a power source of electrical current, a heating member coupled to said power source and a temperature controlling apparatus for controlling the temperature of the heating apparatus, wherein when the inflatable layer is inflated, said inflatable layer urges the heating layer in intimate contact with the predetermined portion of the animal body.

20. The article of clothing of claim 19 wherein said article is fitted to conform to a torso of the animal body.

21. The article of clothing of claim 19 wherein the article is a vest.

22. The article of clothing of claim 19 wherein the article is a jacket.

23. The article of clothing of claim 19 wherein the power source is a battery.

24. The article of clothing of claim 19 wherein the power source is a portable generator.

25. The article of clothing of claim 19 wherein the heating apparatus is an electrical resistance panel.

26. The article of clothing of claim 19 wherein the heating apparatus is an electro-conductive textile.

27. The article of clothing of claim 19 wherein the heating apparatus is an electrical resistance wire woven into a fabric.

28. The article of clothing of claim 19 wherein the heating apparatus is a conductive woven polymer.

29. The article of clothing of claim 19 wherein the temperature control apparatus is a resistance rheostat.

30. The article of clothing of claim 19 wherein the temperature control apparatus is a toggle switch capable of turning the power source on and off.

31. The article of clothing of claim 19 wherein the temperature control apparatus is a digital control.

32. The article of clothing of claim 19 wherein the temperature control apparatus is a switch with multiple positions and diodes.

33. The article of clothing of claim 19 wherein the temperature control apparatus comprises a thermostat allowing constant, regulated heat by controlling the amount of current delivered to the heating apparatus.

34. The article of clothing of claim 33 wherein a rheostat is used to control the current, increasing the heat as the rheostat is rotated in a clockwise direction.

35. The article of clothing of claim 34 and further including light emitting diodes operatively coupled to the thermostat to visually indicate a heat setting.