Clothing with inflation system

Abstract

The present application describes clothing that incorporates an inflation system for individual protection of permanent use. The integration method of the inflation system provides the garments to offer freedom of movement and be aesthetically appealing, allowing its use in various activities in the water and preventing death by drowning. This system can be directly applied to any type of clothing.

Claims

1. A clothing system comprising the following elements: a garment; a cover comprising a front part, a rear part and a neck part that are joined by a closure system; at least one inflation chamber disposed on the outside of the clothing, the at least one inflation chamber being connected to a gas cylinder, the at least one inflation chamber having: a front side, a back side, first and second shoulder regions, a neckline region, and a waist region; and a plurality of loops attached to the at waist region of the at least one inflation chamber, the plurality of loops including at least a first loop disposed on the front part of the at least one inflation chamber and a second loop disposed on the front part of the at least one inflation chamber; a belt adapted to pass through the plurality of loops; a plurality of straps, wherein said plurality of straps includes at least a first strap that is coupled to the first loop, passes over the first shoulder region, and is coupled to a first portion of the belt proximate the back side of the at least one inflation chamber, and a second strap that is coupled to the second loop, passes over the second shoulder region, and is coupled to a second portion of the belt proximate the back side of the at least one inflation chamber; at least one maniple for manual activation; a closure and adjustment system incorporated in the belt; at least one humidity sensor adapted to increase in volume upon contact with water.

2. The clothing system according to claim 1, wherein the inflation chamber is activated in one of an automatic, manual or oral mode.

3. The clothing system according to claim 1, wherein the gas cylinder holds carbon dioxide.

4. The clothing system according to claim 1, wherein each strap in the plurality of straps has a width of at least 40 mm.

5. The clothing system according to claim 1, wherein the closure and adjustment system is sewn on a fabric structure of the garment.

6. The clothing system according to claim 1, wherein a shape and cut of the cover has no overlaps, tight corners, edges or enclosures.

7. The clothing system according to claim 1, wherein [the neckline region of] the inflation chamber is fixed to the garment and the first loop of the belt of the inflation chamber is fixed to the garment.

8. The clothing system according to claim 1, wherein the front side of the inflation chamber comprises a protection panel adapted to protect the gas cylinder and to the automatic/manual inflation system.

9. The clothing system according to claim 8, wherein the protection panel further comprises an information area.

10. The clothing system according to claim 8, the clothing system further comprising a handle adapted fixed to the protection panel.

11. The clothing system according to claim 1, further comprising a whistle.

12. The clothing system according to claim 1, further comprising an emergency light and an emergency light activation system.

13. The clothing system according to claim 1, further comprising reflective tape having an area of not less than 300 cm.sup.2.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

(1) For an easier understanding of the embodiment join the attached figures, which represent preferred embodiments that, however, are not intended to limit the scope of this embodiment.

(2) FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the overall in front and rear view, in which reference numbers represent: 201Cover; 202Closure and adjustment system; 301Loops for passing the beltback; 302Belt; 303Cover

(3) FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of a vest.

(4) FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of a jacket in front and rear views.

(5) FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of the buoy and of the final inflation system, wherein the reference numbers represent: 101Hoist handle; 102Reflective tapes; 103Whistle; 104Emergency Light; 105System of oral inflation; 106Cord; 107Gas cylinder; 108Automatic/manual inflation system; 110Information panel; 111Maniple for manual activation; 112Protection panel to the gas cylinder and to the automatic/manual inflation system; 113Emergency light activation system; 114Inflation chamber.

(6) FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of the integrated buoy, wherein the reference numbers represent: 201Cover; 202Closure and adjustment system; 203Loops for passing the beltfront; 207Adhesive tape; 302Belt; 304Adhesive tape

(7) FIG. 6 shows an embodiment of the hoist handle system on the reverse side, where the reference numbers represent: 203Loops for passaging the beltfront; 701Hoist systemback side back.

(8) FIG. 7 shows an embodiment of a panel open side of the rear panel, wherein the reference numbers represent: 207Adhesive tape; 301Loops for passing the beltback; 302Belt.

(9) FIG. 8 shows an embodiment of an outer design of the front and rear side, wherein the reference numbers represent: 201Cover; 202Closure and adjustment system; 203Loops for passing the beltfront; 301Loops for passing the beltback; 302Belt; 303Cover.

(10) FIG. 9 shows an embodiment of a hoists system of the right side, wherein the reference numbers represents: 204Loop systemfront; 206Fabric structure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(11) The design and conception of the garments were carefully defined and took into account the requirements for individual flotation devices of the ISO 12042 standard of 2006, so that clothing combines the ergonomic and functional features to the conditions of protection and safety during their use and in the event of an accident.

(12) In this sense, a specific system of straps covering the entire trunk of the user was developed. This system consists of straps with a minimum width of 40 mm, and minimum tensile strength of 1600N adequate to support the required load, sewn from the waist in the frontloops systemfront 204until the belt backhoist systemback side back 701, as seen in FIGS. 9 and 6 respectively, ending with a ring to form the loops for passing the beltfront 203 and loops for passing the beltback 301, built by straps with adequate strength at front and back. The loop is sewn on the fabric structure 206 with the proper resistance and hence resistant to tear and load requirements

(13) The handle system described previously is fixed to a fabric structure 206 with adequate strength allowing that, in case of damage of the base fabric, the user continues with the inflation chamber 114 placed and operating.

(14) The covers visible in FIG. 8 mentioned above have dual functionto protect and concealthe inflation chamber 114. The covers are double, being the inner layer of fabric structure 206 to protect the chamber against possible damage that may jeopardize its functionality and the outer layer is fabric that meets the aesthetic and functional requirements of clothing to stay concealed.

(15) The cover consists of three parts, namely one in each front 201 and one in the neck 303, that closes by means of a closure system, such as with adhesive tape 207 and adhesive tape 304, spring, closure or other fastener that allows a rapid opening without requiring user intervention, preferably disposed as illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 7 or other appropriate means. Their shape and cuts were studied to allow their fast opening when the inflation chamber 114 begins to be inflated, i.e. has no overlap or tight corners or edges/enclosures.

(16) With regard to the safety position, clothing ensures that it is maintained in the event of an accident. Once activated, the inflation chamber 114 provides lateral occipital and support to the wearer's head, for the mouth to be out of water, even in the event of loss of consciousness. The body is inclined backward with respect to an axis perpendicular to the water surface in an angle of 30 to 90, and an angle from the plane of rest of from 40 to 90. Furthermore, preventing the face to be pointed towards the water. To meet this requirement, the inflation chamber 114 is fixed to the clothing in the neckline, upper part of the chamber, and also in the loop to the belt passagefront 203, one on each side, at the bottom part of the chamber.

(17) The position of the belt 302 was critically defined as being the appropriate to not allow the clothing go up inside the water and thus change the position of the user. The handle system that surrounds the trunk of the user, and the belt 302 that surrounds it ensure that the garment remains adjusted to the inflation chamber 114 correctly positioned.

(18) The front part of the inflation chamber 114 has a protection panel to protect the gas cylinder and the automatic/manual inflation system 112 that is sewn on one side, strategically placed on the automatic/manual inflation system to prevent the system to be activated in case of rain. It also has the function of supporting the handle to hoist 101 and serve as information area. This panel should be constructed with the same material as the inflation chamber 114 and the seam should be done using a line that supports the required loads. On the other side lies an information panel 110 with information area. The information area should contain instructions for use and maintenance of the automatic, manual and oral inflation system, and other relevant information.

(19) The clothing has a handle to hoist 101 fixed by the appropriate means to the protection panel on the gas cylinder and the automatic/manual inflation system 112 composed by material resistant to putrefaction and to the appropriate loads to support the user.

(20) The clothing has integrated an emergency light 104 that is activated upon fall in the water to make the user visible even in low light and at a considerable distance.

(21) Reflective tapes 102 of high visibility were also glued in the inflation chamber 114, in order to increase the visibility of the user in case of fall into the water. The disposition of the reflective tapes 102 may be visualized in FIG. 4 or other more appropriate, assuming its minimum area is not less than 300 cm.sup.2.

(22) The automatic/manual inflator system 108 has two ways of operation: automatic upon contact with water and manual, in case of failure of the automatic system, by mechanical means pulling up at least one maniple for manual activation 111.

(23) There is also the oral inflator system 105 that can be used in case of failure of the automatic/manual inflation system 108.

(24) The garment has a closure and adjustment system 202 incorporated in the belt 302 that allows to do the appropriate adjustment to the user.

Exemplary Embodiment

(25) FIG. 1 illustrates a front view and back of one embodiment of the outside integration method of inflation systems in clothing for personal protection of permanent view. The illustrated piece is an overall that contains the inflation chamber 114 integrated as described above. In FIG. 1 it is possible to see the cover 201 and 303, which protects and conceals the inflation chamber 114. Cover 201 and 303 is double, the inner layer being in a fabric structure 206, resistant to the load and tear requirements, yet fulfilling the aesthetic and functional requirements of the garment. It is also visible the closure and adjustment system 202 incorporated in the belt 302.

(26) FIGS. 2 and 3 shows examples of other possible embodiments for the method for outside integration of inflation systems in clothing for individual protection of permanent use. However, the method can be used to incorporate inflation systems on other types of garments.

(27) The garment has a closure and adjustment system 202 integrated in the belt 302, that the user must use to properly adjust the piece. When the user falls in the water the automatic/manual system 108 is activated by releasing the gas from the gas cylinder 107 to the inflation chamber 114, inflating it.

(28) In case the automated system fails, the user can still use the manual system by pulling the maniple for manual activation 111 that will release the gas into the inflation chamber 114.

(29) The user can also inflate the inflation chamber 114 through the oral inflation system 105.

(30) The clothing has integrated an emergency light 104 that is activated upon the fall in the water to make the user visible even in low light and at a considerable distance.

(31) The user also has a whistle 103 to signal its presence in water and thus increase the possibility of rescue.

(32) This embodiment is not, naturally, in any way restricted to the embodiments described herein and a person with average skills in the area can provide many possibilities for changes without departing from the general idea, as defined in the claims.

(33) The preferred embodiments described above are obviously combinable with each other. The following claims define further preferred embodiments