Emergency anti-hypothermia system and highly portable, inflatable emergency vest therefor

Abstract

An emergency anti-hypothermia system has a thermally insulating vest that is sufficiently portable to be carried for emergency use in a pocket, purse, backpack, compartment of a vehicle, ski pole or other location, with the vest providing thermal insulation by being made with thermally insulating air impervious material that also provides for its inflation. A multiplicity of interconnected inflated chambers situated about the vest, provides thermal insulation by anti-conduction, anti-radiation and anti-convection in a highly portable system. An outer surface having radar reflective properties further improves visibility of the vest.

Claims

1. In a vest of an emergency anti-hypothermia system, improvements comprising at least part of the vest is configured to be inflated by a wearer of the vest, the vest is made with air impervious material to provide the part that is inflatable, and the vest is thermally insulating, with the vest having a thermally insulating closeable front of the vest, a thermally insulating full first side of the vest, a thermally insulating full second side of the vest, a first shoulder, a second shoulder, a first arm hole, a second arm hole, and a thermally insulating full back of the vest from a neck area to a waist area of the vest, with said closeable front being comprised of a first panel and a second panel, with the first and second panels separable from each other in an open state and engageable with each other in a closed state, said full first side being comprised of a single continuous panel, said full second side being comprised of a single continuous panel, said full back being comprised of a continuous panel, said first shoulder comprised of two discontinuous panels and being formed by an upper portion of the first panel of the front of the vest engaging with an upper portion of a first side of the back of the vest, said second shoulder comprised of two discontinuous panels and being formed by an upper portion of the second panel of the front of the vest engaging with an upper portion of a second side of the back of the vest, said first arm hole formed by the first panel of the front of the vest, the first shoulder, the back of the vest, and the full first side of the vest, and said second arm hole formed by the second panel of the front of the vest, the second shoulder, the back of the vest, and the full second side of the vest, with said full first side of the vest being located below the first arm hole and between the first panel of the front of the vest and the back of the vest and said full second side of the vest being located below the second arm hole and between the second panel of the front of the vest and the back of the vest, wherein the vest has an outer surface and an inner surface, with there being thermal radiation reflective material on at least a portion of the inner surface of the vest and radar reflective material on at least a portion of the outer surface of the vest.

2. The vest according to claim 1, further comprising integrated vent holes located in the front, first and second sides, and back of the vest.

3. The vest according to claim 1, further comprising an integrated inflation tube that is configured to be used by the wearer to inflate the vest.

4. The vest according to claim 1, further comprising an integrated collar.

5. The vest according to claim 3, wherein the integrated inflation tube comprises a valve configured to be manipulated in a first mode to allow air to enter the vest and configured to be manipulated in a second mode to allow air to escape from the vest.

6. The vest according to claim 1, wherein the part of the vest that is inflatable comprises chambers, with each said chamber having an interior portion and an exterior portion.

7. The vest according to claim 6, wherein the inner surface of the vest is on the exterior portion of each of the chambers.

8. The vest according to claim 1, wherein the air impervious material of the vest has a thickness no more than 0.014 inches.

9. The vest according to claim 1, further comprising a tape on the front of the vest for closing the vest, the tape having a protective covering on an outside surface of the tape.

10. The vest according to claim 1, further comprising a tape on the upper portion of the first panel of the front of the vest, said tape capable of engaging with the upper portion of the first side of the back of the vest for forming the first shoulder of the vest, the tape having a protective covering on a outside surface of the tape.

11. The vest according to claim 1, further comprising a tape on the upper portion of the first side of the back of the vest, said tape capable of engaging with the upper portion of the first panel of the front of the vest for forming the first shoulder of the vest, the tape having a protective covering on a outside surface of the tape.

12. The vest according to claim 1, further comprising a pair of flexible, non-inflatable sleeves.

13. The vest according to claim 12, wherein each of the sleeves of the vest has an outer surface, an inner surface, and wrist closures, with there being thermal radiation reflective material on at least a portion of the inner surface of said sleeve and radar reflective material on at least a portion of the outer surface of said sleeve, and with the wrist closures configured to provide a snug fit of the sleeves about a user's wrists.

14. The vest according to claim 1, further comprising a hook and loop fastener on the front of the vest for closing the vest.

15. The vest according to claim 1, further comprising a hook and loop fastener with a portion thereof located on an upper portion of a side of the front of the vest and another portion thereof located on an upper portion of a side of the back of the vest, said hook and loop fastener thus capable of joining the front of the vest to the back of the vest to form a shoulder of the vest.

16. The vest according to claim 1, further comprising a tape on the upper portion of the second panel of the front of the vest, said tape capable of engaging with the upper portion of the second side of the back of the vest for forming the second shoulder of the vest, the tape having a protective covering on a outside surface of the tape.

17. The vest according to claim 1, further comprising a tape on the upper portion of the second side of the back of the vest, said tape capable of engaging with the upper portion of the second panel of the front of the vest for forming the second shoulder of the vest, the tape having a protective covering on a outside surface of the tape.

18. In a vest of an emergency anti-hypothermia system, improvements comprising at least part of the vest is configured to be inflated by a wearer of the vest, the vest is made with air impervious material to provide the part that is inflatable, and the vest is thermally insulating, with the vest having a thermally insulating closeable front of the vest, a thermally insulating full first side of the vest, a thermally insulating full second side of the vest, a first shoulder, a second shoulder, a first arm hole, a second arm hole, and a thermally insulating full back of the vest from a neck area to a waist area of the vest, with said closeable front being comprised of a first panel and a second panel, with the first and second panels separable from each other in an open state and engageable with each other in a closed state, said full first side being comprised of a single continuous panel, said full second side being comprised of a single continuous panel, said full back being comprised of a continuous panel, said first shoulder comprised of two discontinuous panels and being formed by an upper portion of the first panel of the front of the vest engaging with an upper portion of a first side of the back of the vest, said second shoulder comprised of two discontinuous panels and being formed by an upper portion of the second panel of the front of the vest engaging with an upper portion of a second side of the back of the vest, said first arm hole formed by the first panel of the front of the vest, the first shoulder, the back of the vest, and the full first side of the vest, and said second arm hole formed by the second panel of the front of the vest, the second shoulder, the back of the vest, and the full second side of the vest, with said full first side of the vest being located below the first arm hole and between the first panel of the front of the vest and the back of the vest and said full second side of the vest being located below the second arm hole and between the second panel of the front of the vest and the back of the vest, wherein the vest has an outer surface and an inner surface, with there being thermal radiation reflective material on at least a portion of the inner surface of the vest and integrated vent holes located in the front, sides, and back of the vest.

19. The vest according to claim 18, further comprising an integrated inflation tube that is configured to be used by the wearer to inflate the vest.

20. The vest according to claim 18, further comprising an integrated collar.

21. The vest according to claim 19, wherein the integrated inflation tube comprises a valve configured to be manipulated in a first mode to allow air to enter the vest and configured to be manipulated in a second mode to allow air to escape from the vest.

22. The vest according to claim 18, wherein the part of the vest that is inflatable comprises chambers, with each said chamber having an interior portion and an exterior portion.

23. The vest according to claim 22, wherein the inner surface of the vest is on the exterior portion of each of the chambers.

24. The vest according to claim 18, wherein the air impervious material of the vest has a thickness no more than 0.014 inches.

25. The vest according to claim 18, further comprising a tape on the front of the vest for closing the vest, the tape having a protective covering on an outside surface of the tape.

26. The vest according to claim 18, further comprising a tape on the upper portion of the first panel of the front of the vest, said tape capable of engaging with the upper portion of the first a side of the back of the vest for forming the first shoulder of the vest, the tape having a protective covering on a outside surface of the tape.

27. The vest according to claim 18, further comprising a tape on the upper portion of the first side of the back of the vest, said tape capable of engaging with the upper portion of the first panel of the front of the vest for forming the first shoulder of the vest, the tape having a protective covering on a outside surface of the tape.

28. The vest according to claim 18, further comprising a pair of flexible, non-inflatable sleeves.

29. The vest according to claim 28, wherein each of the sleeves of the vest has an outer surface, an inner surface, and wrist closures, with there being thermal radiation reflective material on at least a portion of the inner surface of said sleeve and radar reflective material on at least a portion of the outer surface of said sleeve, and with the wrist closures configured to provide a snug fit of the sleeves about a user's wrists.

30. The vest according to claim 18, further comprising a hook and loop fastener on the front of the vest for closing the vest.

31. The vest according to claim 18, further comprising a hook and loop fastener with a portion thereof located on an upper portion of a side of the front of the vest and another portion thereof located on an upper portion of a side of the back of the vest, said hook and loop fastener thus capable of joining the front of the vest to the back of the vest to form a shoulder of the vest.

32. The vest according to claim 18, further comprising a tape on the upper portion of the second panel of the front of the vest, said tape capable of engaging with the upper portion of the second side of the back of the vest for forming the second shoulder of the vest, the tape having a protective covering on a outside surface of the tape.

33. The vest according to claim 18, further comprising a tape on the upper portion of the second side of the back of the vest, said tape capable of engaging with the upper portion of the second panel of the front of the vest for forming the second shoulder of the vest, the tape having a protective covering on a outside surface of the tape.

34. In an emergency anti-hypothermia system comprising a vest, wherein the vest is comprised of a thermally insulating garment, with the garment having a thermally insulating closeable front of the vest, a thermally insulating full first side of the vest, a thermally insulating full second side of the vest, a first shoulder, a second shoulder, a first arm hole, a second arm hole, and a thermally insulating full back of the vest from a neck area to a waist area of the vest, with said closeable front being comprised of a first panel and a second panel, with the first and second panels separable from each other in an open state and engageable with each other in a closed state, said full first side being comprised of a single continuous panel, said full second side being comprised of a single continuous panel, said full back being comprised of a continuous panel, said first shoulder comprised of two discontinuous panels and being formed by an upper portion of the first panel of the front of the vest engaging with an upper portion of a first side of the back of the vest, said second shoulder comprised of two discontinuous panels and being formed by an upper portion of the second panel of the front of the vest engaging with an upper portion of a second side of the back of the vest, said first arm hole formed by the first panel of the front of the vest, the first shoulder, the back of the vest, and the full first side of the vest, and said second arm hole formed by the second panel of the front of the vest, the second shoulder, the back of the vest, and the full second side of the vest, with said full first side of the vest being located below the first arm hole and between the first panel of the front of the vest and the back of the vest and said full second side of the vest being located below the second arm hole and between the second panel of the front of the vest and the back of the vest, wherein at least part of the garment is configured to be inflated by a wearer of the vest and is made of an air impervious material, the part that is inflatable comprises a plurality of chambers, each chamber defined by internal and external surfaces, wherein at least one of the chambers is an upper chamber and at least one of the chambers is a lower chamber, with each lower chamber located below each upper chamber when the vest is being worn and with at least one upper chamber and at least one lower clamber located on the front of the vest and cross-connected with each other, and the vest has an outer surface and an inner surface, with there being thermal radiation reflective material on at least a portion of the inner surface of the vest, radar reflective material on at least a portion of the outer surface of the vest, integrated vent holes located in the front, first and second sides, and back of the vest, an integrated inflation tube, and an integrated collar, wherein the vest is configured to be carried in a pocket for emergency use.

35. The vest according to claim 34, further comprising a tape on the front of the vest for closing the vest, the tape having a protective covering on an outside surface of the tape.

36. The vest according to claim 34, further comprising a tape on the upper portion of the first panel of the front of the vest, said tape capable of engaging with the upper portion of the first side of the back of the vest for forming the first shoulder of the vest, the tape having a protective covering on a outside surface of the tape.

37. The vest according to claim 34, further comprising a tape on the upper portion of the first side of the back of the vest, said tape capable of engaging with the upper portion of the first panel of the front of the vest for forming the first shoulder of the vest, the tape having a protective covering on a outside surface of the tape.

38. The vest according to claim 34, wherein the inner surface of the vest is on the external surface of each of the chambers.

39. The vest according to claim 34, wherein the air impervious material of the vest has a thickness no more than 0.014 inches.

40. The vest according to claim 34, further comprising a pair of flexible, non-inflatable sleeves.

41. The vest according to claim 40, wherein each of the sleeves of the vest has an outer surface, an inner surface, and wrist closures, with there being thermal radiation reflective material on at least a portion of the inner surface of said sleeve and radar reflective material on at least a portion of the outer surface of said sleeve, and with the wrist closures configured to provide a snug fit of the sleeves about a user's wrists.

42. The vest according to claim 34, further comprising a hook and loop fastener on the front of the vest for closing the vest.

43. The vest according to claim 34, further comprising a hook and loop fastener with a portion thereof located on an upper portion of a side of the front of the vest and another portion thereof located on an upper portion of a side of the back of the vest, said hook and loop fastener thus capable of joining the front of the vest to the back of the vest to form a shoulder of the vest.

44. The vest according to claim 34, further comprising a tape on the upper portion of the second panel of the front of the vest, said tape capable of engaging with the upper portion of the second side of the back of the vest for forming the second shoulder of the vest, the tape having a protective covering on a outside surface of the tape.

45. The vest according to claim 34, further comprising a tape on the upper portion of the second side of the back of the vest, said tape capable of engaging with the upper portion of the second panel of the front of the vest for forming the second shoulder of the vest, the tape having a protective covering on a outside surface of the tape.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Preferred embodiments will now be described with respect to the following drawings that illustrate but do not limit the invention.

(2) FIG. 1 is a depiction of one embodiment of the vest of the present invention.

(3) FIG. 2 is a depiction of the embodiment of the vest shown in FIG. 1 as it is intended to be worn, with the vest inflated with air.

(4) FIG. 3 is a depiction of the vest of the present invention laid out as a flattened single piece.

(5) FIG. 4 is a depiction of the vest of the present invention laid out as pair of flattened pieces, to be combined into a single vest during the manufacturing process.

(6) FIG. 5 is a depiction of an embodiment of the present invention in which the vest further comprises non-inflatable sleeves.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(7) The present invention discloses an emergency anti-hypothermia system. In one embodiment, the system comprises an inflatable vest 100. See FIG. 1. The vest 100 is made with air impervious material such that air introduced to the interior of the vest 100 is contained therein, thus inflating at least a portion of the vest 100. Preferably, the vest 100 is made from a high tensile-strength polyester film, such as aluminized nylon sheet, coated on one side with polyethylene and metalized on the other). The material is electrically resistant, chemically stable, noncombustible (94VTM-2), and comes in thicknesses ranging from 0.001 inches to 0.014 inches. It is a thermoplastic polymer, and is thermally and ultrasonically fusible. It may come in colors from matte to metalized.

(8) The vest 100 is structured with a closeable front 110, substantially full sides 122,124 of the vest 100, and a substantially full back 130 extending from the neck area 136 to the waist area 138 of the vest 100. The vest 100 moreover has an outer surface and an inner surface, with there being thermal radiation reflective material on at least a portion of the inner surface of the vest 100. When inflated, the vest 100 is thermally insulating around the front 110, sides 122,124, and back 130.

(9) In one embodiment the vest 100 is manufactured as a single part. See FIG. 3. In another embodiment the vest 100 is manufactured in two parts, a left side and a right side. See FIG. 4. The two part manufacturing method requires the left and right sides to be joined together during final assembly. This can be done by a lateral portion of the material of each of the sides being fused together. Alternatively, these portions can be secured together by tape 202 attached to one of the sides engaging with the other side. An advantage of the two part manufacturing process is that the left and right sides are independently inflatable, so a catastrophic loss of integrity on one side will not cause a loss of insulation on the other side.

(10) The part of the vest 100 that is inflatable comprises a plurality of interconnected chambers 180. See FIG. 1. The chambers 180 are located on the upper and lower portions of at least the front 110 of the vest 100 and cross-connected. Preferably, the chambers 180 are located on the upper and lower portions of the front 110, back 130, and sides 122,124 of the vest 100. The inner surface of the vest 100 is on the outside of the chambers 180, and the outer surface of the vest 100 is on the outside of the chambers 180. Each chamber 180 is formed by partially fusing portions of the inner surface and the outer surface of the vest 100 to each other, with the fused portions forming an incomplete perimeter of the chamber 180. The portion of the perimeter not fused communicates with an adjoining chamber 180. Thus, each chamber 180 is in communication with at least one other chamber 180, and at least one chamber 180 is in communication with the inflation tube 160. For vests 100 constructed of two sets of interconnected chambers 180 (see FIG. 4), one inflation tube 160 is required for each.

(11) The inflation tube(s) 160 comprise a simple one-way mouthpiece, for example a flap valve made of the film material of the vest 100 on the vest's collar 170. See FIG. 3. Other configurations of the inflation tube 160 are also contemplated, including an injection molded mouthpiece with an integrated one-way valve. Air introduced into the vest 100 through the inflation tube 160 enters the at least one chamber 180 communicating with it, and passes from that chamber 180 into each other chamber 180 via the communications therebetween until every chamber 180 within the vest 100 contains air. The inflation tube's 160 one-way valve prevents air from escaping the vest 100 during use. The valve may be manipulated, however, to allow air to escape the vest 100, thereby deflating the vest 100 for subsequent use.

(12) One or more of the chambers 180 may have an inter-chamber fusion 182 joining the inner surface of the vest 100 to the outer surface of the vest 100. See FIG. 1. Such chambers 180 thus appear substantially toroid, rather than spherical. The inter-chamber fusions 182 provide structural rigidity to the vest 100, allowing it to retain its desired shape when inflated, thus minimizing the loss of heated air between the wearer and the vest 100 through gapping of the vest 100.

(13) The vest 100 may be provided in a deflated state, flattened out as a single sheet. See FIG. 3. This allows for compact folding for storage purposes. In one embodiment, in order to use the vest 100, the shoulders 126,128 need to be formed and the front 110 needs to be closed. The user thus joins the upper portion 114 of one side of the front 110 of the vest 100 to the upper portion 134 of the corresponding side of the back 130 of the vest 100 to form one shoulder 126, and joins the upper portion 118 of the other side of the front 110 of the vest 100 to the upper portion 134 of the corresponding side of the back 130 of the vest 100 to form the other shoulder 128. In the preferred embodiments each shoulder 126,128 is formed by a tape 202 attached to the upper portion 114 of the front 110 of the vest 100 engaging with the corresponding upper portion 134 of the back 130 of the vest 100. Alternatively, the tape 202 may be attached to the upper portion 134 of the back 130 of the vest 100, and engages with the corresponding upper portion 114 of the front 110 of the vest 100. In either configuration, the tape 202 may further comprise a protective covering on its outside surface, to prevent adhesion prior to use. In other embodiments the shoulders 126,128 are pre-taped or fused during the manufacturing process, and no further action need be taken by the user with regard to the shoulders 126,128 prior to wearing the vest 100.

(14) The user dons the vest 100 by inserting each arm through a corresponding armhole formed by the side 122, back 130, front 110, and shoulder 126 of the vest 100. Then the front 110 of the vest 100 is closed by bringing one side 112 of the front 110 of the vest 100 into contact with the other side 116 of the front 110 of the vest 100. See FIG. 2. In the preferred embodiments the first side 112 of the front 110 of the vest 100 engages with the second side 116 of the front 110 of the vest 100 by a tape 202, hook and loop fastener (Velcro?), or other adhesive means, which is attached to the first side 112 of the front 110 of the vest 100. It does not matter which side (left or right) has the fastening means attached. If used, the tape 202 may further comprise a protective covering on its outside surface, to prevent adhesion prior to use.

(15) In a preferred embodiment, the vest 100 comprises a radar reflective material on at least a portion of its outer surface. This may be aluminized nylon or other high tensile-strength polyester film metalized on one or both surfaces. The radar reflecting properties of materials such as these are well-established. When inflated, this flexible metalized material forms three-dimensional radar reflective surfaces, presenting much greater reflective opportunity to incident radar waves, and thus aiding in search and rescue operations. In another preferred embodiment, the vest 100 comprises integrated vent holes 150 located in the front 110, sides 122,124, and back 130. These vent holes 150 are punched through the welded vest 100 material at chamber 180 intersections points during the manufacturing process, and allow for greater transfer of moisture from perspiration to the outside of the garment, thereby enhancing wearer comfort and the vest's 100 insulating properties. In yet another preferred embodiment, the vest 100 comprises an integrated inflation tube 160. This tube 160, positioned on the front collar 170, greatly improves the process of vest 100 inflation. In yet another preferred embodiment, the vest 100 comprises a non-inflating integrated collar 170. This collar 170 is produced by fusing both layers of the vest 100 material, thus creating a wind barrier and additional heat reflective surface at the back of the wearer's neck, aiding in overall comfort and utility. In the most preferred embodiment each of these features is incorporated into the vest 100.

(16) In one variant, the vest 100 has a pair of non-inflatable sleeves 190. See FIG. 5. The sleeves 190 are constructed of a single ply of inwardly aluminized material, with vent holes 150 and tape 202 wrist closures. This configuration provides additional insulation to the extremities, while allowing the overall bulk of the vest 100 to remain as small as possible.

(17) What has been described and illustrated herein is a preferred embodiment of the invention along with some it its variations. The terms, descriptions and figures used herein are set forth by way of illustration only and are not meant as limitations. Those skilled in the art will recognize that many variations are possible within the spirit and scope of the invention in which all terms are meant in their broadest, reasonable sense unless otherwise indicated. Any headings utilized within the description are for convenience only and have no legal or limiting effect.