Firefighter protective garment having a thermal barrier with spacers to increase dissipation of metabolic heat

Abstract

A firefighter's protective garment including an outer shell, moisture barrier and thermal barrier in which the thermal barrier is constructed with spacers on its inner surface such that air can circulate between the garment and the firefighter wearing it. The garment redistributes metabolic heat over a larger surface area, and increases metabolic cooling and firefighter comfort. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the spacers are strategically attached to those areas of the thermal barrier which find themselves opposite those parts of the human body having the highest rates of perspiration and metabolic heat transfer.

Claims

1. A firefighter protective coat comprising: a plurality of superimposed layers, the plurality of superimposed layers comprising: an outer shell defining an outermost layer of the firefighter protective coat; a moisture barrier inwardly affixed to the outer shell; and a thermal barrier inwardly affixed to the moisture barrier, the thermal barrier defining an innermost layer of the plurality of superimposed layers; and an array of spacer pads inwardly affixed to the thermal barrier, the array of spacer pads being configured to maintain a gap between the thermal barrier and a firefighter's body when the firefighter protective coat is worn by the firefighter.

2. The firefighter protective coat of claim 1, wherein the array of spacer pads is distributed into first and second neighboring columns in a back region of the firefighter's body.

3. The firefighter protective coat of claim 2, wherein the first and second neighboring columns each comprises five spacer pads.

4. The firefighter protective coat of claim 1, wherein the array of spacer pads is distributed into first, second and third neighboring groups in a waist region of the firefighter's body.

5. The firefighter protective coat of claim 4, wherein: the first neighboring group comprises three spacer pads positioned in a right section of the waist region; the second neighboring group comprises one spacer pad positioned in a central section of the waist region; and the third neighboring group comprises three spacer pads positioned in a left section of the waist region.

6. The firefighter protective coat of claim 1, wherein the array of spacer pads is permeable to air, water vapor and liquid water.

7. The firefighter protective coat of claim 1, wherein each spacer pad is made of closed cell foam.

8. The firefighter protective coat of claim 7, wherein the closed cell foam of said spacer pads comprises perforations therein.

9. The firefighter protective coat of claim 8, wherein said perforations have a diameter of about 0.5 inch.

10. The firefighter protective coat of claim 1, wherein the array of spacer pads comprises a fire-resistant mesh fabric covering said spacer pads.

11. The firefighter protective coat of claim 1, wherein the array of spacer pads partially covers an inner surface of the thermal barrier.

12. The firefighter protective coat of claim 1, wherein the gap is aligned with areas of high rates of perspiration and metabolic heat transfer of a firefighter's body.

13. The firefighter coat of claim 1, wherein each spacer pad meets performance requirements of a NFPA 1971 standard.

14. A firefighter protective coat comprising: a plurality of superimposed layers, the plurality of superimposed layers comprising: an outer shell defining an outermost layer of the firefighter protective coat; a moisture barrier inwardly affixed to the outer shell; a thermal barrier inwardly affixed to the moisture barrier, the thermal barrier defining an innermost layer of the plurality of superimposed layers; and an array of spacer pads inwardly affixed to the thermal barrier; and a network of air circulation channels separating neighboring spacer pads from one another.

15. The firefighter protective coat of claim 14, wherein the network of air circulation channels comprises: a main central channel extending along a spine of the firefighter's body; and a plurality of auxiliary channels, each one of the plurality of auxiliary channels being in fluid communication with the main central channel.

16. The firefighter protective coat of claim 14, wherein the array of spacer pads is configured to maintain a gap between the thermal barrier and a firefighter's body when the firefighter protective coat is worn by the firefighter.

17. The firefighter protective coat of claim 14, wherein the array of spacer pads is distributed into first and second neighboring columns in a back region of the firefighter's body.

18. The firefighter protective coat of claim 17, wherein the first and second neighboring columns each comprises five spacer pads.

19. The firefighter protective coat of claim 14, wherein the array of spacer pads is distributed into first, second and third neighboring groups in a waist region of the firefighter's body.

20. The firefighter protective coat of claim 19, wherein: the first neighboring group comprises three spacer pads positioned in a right section of the waist region; the second neighboring group comprises one spacer pad positioned in a central section of the waist region; and the third neighboring group comprises three spacer pads positioned in a left section of the waist region.

21. The firefighter protective coat of claim 14, wherein the array of spacer pads is permeable to air, water vapor and liquid water.

22. The firefighter protective coat of claim 14, wherein each spacer pad is made of closed cell foam.

23. The firefighter protective coat of claim 22, wherein the closed cell foam of said spacer pads comprises perforations therein.

24. The firefighter protective coat of claim 23, wherein said perforations have a diameter of about 0.5 inch.

25. The firefighter protective coat of claim 14, wherein the array of spacer pads comprises a fire-resistant mesh fabric covering said spacer pads.

26. The firefighter protective coat of claim 14, wherein the array of spacer pads partially covers an inner surface of the thermal barrier.

27. The firefighter protective coat of claim 14, wherein the gap is aligned with areas of high rates of perspiration and metabolic heat transfer of a firefighter's body.

28. The firefighter coat of claim 14, wherein each spacer pad meets performance requirements of a NFPA 1971 standard.

29. A firefighter protective coat comprising: a plurality of superimposed layers, the plurality of superimposed layers comprising: an outer shell defining an outermost layer of the firefighter protective coat; a moisture barrier inwardly affixed to the outer shell; and a thermal barrier inwardly affixed to the moisture barrier, the thermal barrier defining an innermost layer of the plurality of superimposed layers; and an array of spacer pads inwardly affixed to the thermal barrier, each spacer pad of said array being made of closed cell foam, the spacer pads being covered by a fire-resistant mesh fabric.

30. The firefighter protective coat of claim 29, wherein the closed cell foam of said spacer pads comprises perforations therein.

31. The firefighter protective coat of claim 30, wherein said perforations have a diameter of about 0.5 inch.

32. The firefighter protective coat of claim 29, wherein the array of spacer pads is distributed into first and second neighboring columns in a back region of the firefighter's body.

33. The firefighter protective coat of claim 32, wherein the first and second neighboring columns each comprises five spacer pads.

34. The firefighter protective coat of claim 29, wherein the array of spacer pads is distributed into first, second and third neighboring groups in a waist region of the firefighter's body.

35. The firefighter protective coat of claim 34, wherein: the first neighboring group comprises three spacer pads positioned in a right section of the waist region; the second neighboring group comprises one spacer pad positioned in a central section of the waist region; and the third neighboring group comprises three spacer pads positioned in a left section of the waist region.

36. A firefighter apparel comprising: a firefighter protective coat comprising: a plurality of superimposed layers, the plurality of superimposed layers comprising: an outer shell defining an outermost layer of the firefighter protective coat; a moisture barrier inwardly affixed to the outer shell; and a thermal barrier inwardly affixed to the moisture barrier, the thermal barrier defining an innermost layer of the plurality of superimposed layers, suspenders having a back portion; a support frame affixed to the suspenders, the support frame extending in the back portion of the suspenders; and an array of spacer pads inwardly affixed to the support frame, the array of spacer pads being configured to maintain a gap between the support frame and a firefighter's body when the firefighter garment is worn by the firefighter.

37. The firefighter apparel of claim 36, further comprising a network of air circulation channels separating neighboring spacer pads from one another and being configured to allow air circulation therein.

38. The firefighter apparel of claim 37, wherein the network of air circulation channels comprises: a main central channel extending along a spine of the firefighter's body; and a plurality of auxiliary channels, each one of the plurality of auxiliary channels being in fluid communication with the main central channel.

39. The firefighter apparel of claim 36, wherein the array of spacer pads is distributed into first and second neighboring columns in a back region of the firefighter's body.

40. The firefighter apparel of claim 37, wherein the first and second neighboring columns each comprises five spacer pads.

41. The firefighter apparel of claim 36, wherein the array of spacer pads is distributed into first, second and third neighboring groups in a waist region of the firefighter's body.

42. The firefighter apparel of claim 41, wherein: the first neighboring group comprises three spacer pads positioned in a right section of the waist region; the second neighboring group comprises one spacer pad positioned in a central section of the waist region; and the third neighboring group comprises three spacer pads positioned in a left section of the waist region.

43. The firefighter apparel of claim 36, wherein the array of spacer pads is permeable to air, water vapor and liquid water.

44. The firefighter apparel of claim 36, wherein each spacer pad is made of closed cell foam.

45. The firefighter apparel of claim 44, wherein the closed cell foam of said spacer pads comprises perforations therein.

46. The firefighter apparel of claim 45, wherein said perforations have a diameter of about 0.5 inch.

47. The firefighter apparel of claim 36, wherein the array of spacer pads comprises a fire-resistant mesh fabric covering said spacer pads.

48. The firefighter apparel of claim 36, wherein the array of spacer pads partially covers an inner surface of the thermal barrier.

49. The firefighter apparel of claim 36, wherein the gap is aligned with areas of high rates of perspiration and metabolic heat transfer of a firefighter's body.

50. The firefighter apparel of claim 36, wherein each spacer pad meets performance requirements of a NFPA 1971 standard.

51. A firefighter apparel comprising a firefighter protective coat, the firefighter protective coat comprising a plurality of superimposed layers, the plurality of superimposed layers comprising an outer shell defining an outermost layer of the firefighter protective coat, a moisture barrier inwardly affixed to the outer shell, and a thermal barrier inwardly affixed to the moisture barrier, the thermal barrier defining an innermost layer of the plurality of superimposed layers, the firefighter apparel comprising: suspenders having a back portion; a support frame affixed to the suspenders, the support frame extending in the back portion of the suspenders; and an array of spacer pads inwardly affixed to the support frame, the array of spacer pads being configured maintain a gap between the support frame and a firefighter's body when the firefighter garment is worn by the firefighter.

52. The firefighter apparel of claim 51, further comprising a network of air circulation channels separating neighboring spacer pads from one another and being configured to allow air circulation therein.

53. The firefighter apparel of claim 52, wherein the network of air circulation channels comprises: a main central channel extending along a spine of the firefighter's body; and a plurality of auxiliary channels, each one of the plurality of auxiliary channels being in fluid communication with the main central channel.

54. The firefighter apparel of claim 51, wherein the array of spacer pads is distributed into first and second neighboring columns in a back region of the firefighter's body.

55. The firefighter apparel of claim 54, wherein the first and second neighboring columns each comprises five spacer pads.

56. The firefighter apparel of claim 51, wherein the array of spacer pads is distributed into first, second and third neighboring groups in a waist region of the firefighter's body.

57. The firefighter apparel of claim 56, wherein: the first neighboring group comprises three spacer pads positioned in a right section of the waist region; the second neighboring group comprises one spacer pad positioned in a central section of the waist region; and the third neighboring group comprises three spacer pads positioned in a left section of the waist region.

58. The firefighter apparel of claim 51, wherein the array of spacer pads is permeable to air, water vapor and liquid water.

59. The firefighter apparel of claim 51, wherein each spacer pad is made of closed cell foam.

60. The firefighter apparel of claim 59, wherein the closed cell foam of said spacer pads comprises perforations therein.

61. The firefighter apparel of claim 60, wherein said perforations have a diameter of about 0.5 inch.

62. The firefighter apparel of claim 51, wherein the array of spacer pads comprises a fire-resistant mesh fabric covering said spacer pads.

63. The firefighter apparel of claim 53, wherein the array of spacer pads partially covers an inner surface of the thermal barrier.

64. The firefighter apparel of claim 53, wherein the gap is aligned with areas of high rates of perspiration and metabolic heat transfer of a firefighter's body.

65. The firefighter apparel 53, wherein each spacer pad meets performance requirements of a NFPA 1971 standard.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a firefighter garment according to an embodiment of the present invention.

(2) FIG. 2 is a front schematic view of a liner of a prior art garment.

(3) FIG. 3 is a front schematic view of a liner with spacer elements installed thereon according to an embodiment of the present invention.

(4) FIG. 4 is a front schematic view of the liner of FIG. 3 with a mesh installed thereon.

(5) FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a body illustrating body heat loss zones due to perspiration.

(6) FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a body illustrating how a garment according to an embodiment of the present invention can increase heat loss in areas of the body.

(7) FIG. 7 is a front schematic view of a configuration of spacer elements for a garment according to an embodiment of the present invention.

(8) FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a spacer element according to an embodiment of the present invention.

(9) FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the spacer element shown in FIG. 8 installed on a garment in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

(10) FIG. 10 is a detailed view of the spacer element shown in FIG. 9.

(11) FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a firefighter garment according to another embodiment of the present invention.

(12) FIGS. 12a and 12b are side and perspective views respectively of a firefighter garment according to another embodiment of the present invention.

(13) FIG. 13 is a front view of a spacer assembly in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(14) In the following description, the same numerical references refer to similar elements. Furthermore, for the sake of simplicity and clarity, namely so as to not unduly burden the figures with several references numbers, not all figures contain references to all the components and features, and references to some components and features may be found in only one figure, and components and features of the present invention illustrated in other figures can be easily inferred therefrom. The embodiments, geometrical configurations, materials mentioned and/or dimensions shown in the figures are optional, and are given for exemplification purposes only.

(15) Furthermore, although the present invention may be used with various objects, such as firefighter garments, for example, it is understood that it may be used with other types of garments or articles of clothing. For this reason, expressions such as garments, etc. as used herein should not be taken as to limit the scope of the present invention to these garments in particular. These expressions encompass all other kinds of materials, objects and/or purposes with which the present invention could be used and may be useful, as can be easily understood.

(16) As shown in FIG. 1, there is provided a firefighter garment 10 including an outer shell 12, a moisture barrier 14, and a thermal barrier 16. Spacer elements 18 are affixed to an innermost layer of the garment, such as a side of the thermal barrier 16, closest to a body of the firefighter. FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a ventilated back of a garment, where a plurality of spacer elements 18, made of closed cell foam attached to a thermal barrier 16 or liner, are covered with a mesh 22. The spacer elements are positioned and shaped to create a series of channels where air and evaporated perspiration can flow.

(17) FIG. 3 illustrates a regular garment thermal barrier 16 or liner. FIG. 4 shows an example where spacer elements 18 are installed on the liner.

(18) In some implementations, as better shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the spacer elements 18 are placed in locations corresponding to areas of the body 20 of high rates of perspiration and metabolic heat transfer. FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a body illustrating body heat loss zones due to perspiration. FIG. 6 thus illustrates how the garment according to the present invention, can form air channels and therefore increase the flow of heat loss from the body.

(19) In some implementations, the spacer elements 18 are sized and positioned to form channels 26 that can protect a user's spine from the pressure of SBCA frame supports. Moreover, extra padding can be provided by positioning padding spacer elements 28 at the level of the SBCA support belt.

(20) In some implementations, as better shown in FIG. 8, the spacer elements 18 are made of perforated, closed-cell foam. In some implementations, the perforations 30 are in size and help provide breathability and comfort to the user.

(21) In some implementations, the spacer elements 18 are made of fire-resistant fabric or non-woven material.

(22) In some implementations, the spacer elements 18 are permeable to air, water vapor and liquid water.

(23) In some implementations, as better shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the spacer elements 18 are sewn to the thermal barrier 16, preferably to the facecloth of the thermal barrier 16.

(24) In some implementations, the spacer elements 18 are covered by a fire-resistant mesh fabric 22.

(25) In some implementations, the spacer elements 18 are covered by a thin, breathable, fire-resistant fabric.

(26) In some implementations, the spacer elements 18 meet all thermal performance requirements of a NFPA 1971 standard.

(27) In some implementations, the spacer elements 18 are shaped and positioned such that results of THL testing as performed according to a NFPA 1971 test method are unaffected.

(28) According to the present invention, as better shown in FIG. 11, there is also provided a firefighter garment 50 including an inner portion 52 facing and closest to a body of a firefighter, and a spacer assembly 54 supporting a plurality of spaced-apart spacer elements 56. The spacer assembly 54 is affixable to the inner portion 52 to the garment 50. Once again, the spacer elements 56 can be positioned to form air channels and therefore increase the flow of heat loss from the body.

(29) In some implementations, as shown in FIG. 11, the garment 50 comprises suspenders.

(30) In some implementations, the spacer assembly 54 is removably affixable to the inner layer of the garment, in order to facilitate replacement or cleaning thereof.

(31) In other implementations, the spacer assembly 54 is integrated to the suspenders.

(32) In some implementations, as better shown in FIGS. 12a and 12b, the spacer assembly 54 comprises a rigid frame assembly 58 forming an empty shell.

(33) Therefore, in addition to forming air channels through the spacer elements 56, the spacer assembly, through the rigid frame, creates a zone of dead air that improves thermal protection. The rigid frame can further be formed as netting.

(34) According to the present invention, as better seen in FIG. 13, there is also provided a spacer assembly 60 comprising a support assembly 62 and a plurality of spacer elements 64 affixed to the support assembly 62. The support assembly 62 is attachable to a firefighter garment. This spacer assembly 60 can thus be provided as a kit to be retrofitted, integrated or attached to a firefighter garment to provide the above-described advantages. The spacer assembly can include the above-described features of the spacer elements, and can be covered with a mesh. For example, the spacer assembly 60 as a kit can be affixed to the inner layer of a garment or to suspenders.

(35) Of course, numerous modifications could be made to the above-described embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention, as defined in the appended claims.