Airdapt Inflatable Running Jacket

Abstract

Embodiments are directed to a inflatable running jacket including an outer layer and an inner layer that define an internal space of the jacket. The layers of the inflatable running jacket may include an access unit and a fan unit coupled to the inner and outer layer. The fan unit blows outside air into the internal space to provide aa additional insulation to the user of the jacket. The fan unit may heat the air used to inflate the jacket to keep the user warm. The fan unit is electrically connected to a power control unit. The power control unit contains a power source and control unit that is used to power on and off the fan unit.

Claims

1. An inflatable running jacket comprising: an outer layer; an inner layer coupled to the outer layer with at least one seam; an internal space defined as the area between the inner layer and the outer layer; an access unit configured to: attach to the inner layer; and open and close to allow access to the internal space when open; a fan unit comprising: a cover; an air vent; and an air intake; the fan unit attached to the outer layer, the air intake outside of the outer layer and the air vent situated between the outer layer and inner layer, the fan unit configured to inflate the internal space via the air vent; a power control unit attached to the inflatable running jacket electrically coupled to the fan unit; and the power control unit comprising: a power source; and a control unit configured to turn on or off the fan unit.

2. The inflatable running jacket of claim 1, wherein the power control unit is attached to the outer layer of the jacket using a magnet to hold the power control unit to a stiff textile embedded in the outer layer.

3. The inflatable running jacket of claim 1, wherein the power control unit is removable from the inflatable running jacket.

4. The inflatable running jacket of claim 1, further comprising an outer fan cap; wherein the fan unit is configured to: couple to the outer layer by securing the outer layer between the cover, and the outer fan cap; be uncoupled from the outer layer.

5. The inflatable running jacket of claim 1, wherein the fan unit is removeable from the inner space through the access unit.

6. The inflatable running jacket of claim 1, wherein the fan unit further comprises a heating unit.

7. The inflatable running jacket of claim 1, wherein the fan unit extends from the outer later into the internal space no more than one inch.

8. The inflatable running jacket of claim 1, wherein the air vent faces perpendicular to the inner layer and blows air into the internal space.

9. The inflatable running jacket of claim 1, further configured to maintain an air pressure in the internal space, wherein the user's motions modulate a shape of the internal space without a significant change in the air pressure.

10. The inflatable running jacket of claim 9, wherein the at least one seam is further configured to allow a variable amount of air to flow from the internal space to maintain the air pressure.

11. The inflatable running jacket of claim 1, wherein the fan unit is configured to allow air to flow from the interior space through the fan in a direction opposite to an air flow produced by the fan unit.

12. The inflatable running jacket of claim 1, wherein the inner layer and the outer layer are made of a material that allows the transfer of air and water.

13. The inflatable running jacket of claim 1, wherein the inner layer and the outer layer are made of the same material.

14. An inflatable running jacket comprising: an outer layer; an inner layer coupled to the outer layer with at least one seam; an internal space defined as the area between the inner layer and the outer layer; a fan unit comprising: a first cover; a second cover; and an air vent configured to be perpendicular to a plane defined by the first cover; an outer fan cap; the fan unit and the outer fan cap configured to attach to the outer layer by securing the outer layer between the fan unit and the outer fan cap; the fan unit configured to inflate the internal space via the air vent; the at least one seam is configured to restrict the air from leaking from the internal space at a rate higher than the fan units' rate of inflating the internal space, a power control unit attached to the inflatable running jacket electrically coupled to the fan unit.

15. The inflatable running jacket of claim 14, wherein the fan unit further comprises a heating unit.

16. The inflatable running jacket of claim 14, wherein the fan unit is further configured to extend into the internal space no further than one inch.

17. The inflatable running jacket of claim 14, further configured to maintain an air pressure in the internal space, wherein the internal space contains a volume of air, and wherein the user's motions modulate the volume without a decrease in the air pressure.

18. The inflatable running jacket of claim 14, wherein the inner layer and the outer layer are made of a material that allows the transfer of air and water.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] FIG. 1 illustrates an inflatable running jacket being worn by a user.

[0011] FIG. 2 illustrates a front view of an inflatable running jacket, according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0012] FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an inflatable running jacket taken along line A-A, according to the embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0013] FIG. 4 illustrates an exploded view of an example heating fan unit, according to the embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0014] FIG. 5 illustrates an example control and power unit of an inflatable running jacket, according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0015] FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of an inflatable running jacket 100 being worn. The inflatable running jacket 100 allows users to actively regulate their body temperature without having to sacrifice performance or deal with the inconvenience of removing layers. In some embodiments a fan unit 200 and a power control unit 106 are attached to the inflatable running jacket 100. The fan unit 200 can be turned on by the user via the power control unit 106. When turned on, the fan unit 200 is able to inflate the inflatable running jacket 100 with heated air, insulating the user from ambient temperatures. The inflatable running jacket 100 can also be inflated with unheated air allowing the user to regulate the temperature used for insulation.

[0016] FIG. 2 shows a front view of an embodiment of the inflatable running jacket 100 including a fan unit 200 and a power control unit 106. In some embodiments a fan unit 200 is attached to the outer layer 102. In some embodiments a fan unit 200 is attached to the inner layer 101. In some embodiment a fan unit 200 is attached to the back of the outer layer 102. In some embodiments there are multiple fan units 200 attached to the inflatable running jacket 200.

[0017] In some embodiments a power control unit 106 shown in FIG. 2 is attached to the stiff textile 109 which is embedded in the outer layer 102. In some embodiments the power control unit 106 is attached to a pocket on the outer layer 102. In some embodiments the power control unity is located on the sleeve of the outer layer 102.

[0018] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the power control unit 106 is electrically coupled to the fan unit 200. A wire is used to connect the power control unit 106 to the fan unit 200. When the user turns on the power control unit 106, the fan unit 200 will begin to direct air into the inflatable running jacket 100.

[0019] FIG. 3 shows an embodiment in which the inner layer 101 and outer layer 102 are connected in a manner defining the internal space 103. In some embodiments the inner layer 101 and the outer layer 102 are sewn together with at least one seam 104.

[0020] In some embodiments the seams 104 are sewn with a high stitch density to restrict the air from flowing out of the internal space 103. This can be used if the fan unit 200 is lower powered to prevent the underinflation of the inflatable running jacket 100. In some embodiments the seams 104 are sewn with a lower stitch density to allow more air to flow out of the internal space. This can be used if the fan unit 200 is higher powered to prevent the overinflation of the inflatable running jacket 100. In some embodiments the seams 104 along the lower part of the inner layer 101 and the outer layer 102 are of a lower stitch density than the other seams 104. This allows the air to flow out the lower part of the inner layer 101 and outer layer 102, creating an airflow through the jacket. In some embodiments anti-wicking threads are used for the seams 103 in order to limit the seams from getting wet. Moisture on the seams 104 can in some instances further restrict the air from flowing out of the internal space 103.

[0021] The inner layer 101 and outer layer 102 can be made of air impermeable material that prevents air from flowing out of the internal space 103. In some embodiments, the air impermeable materials prevents air from flowing out of the internal space 103 at all places except the seam 104. Alternatively, the inner layer 101 can be slightly air permeable to allow for some air to flow from the internal space 103 onto the user to help maintain and regulate body temperature. The outer layer 102 can also be made of slightly air permeable material to allow air to flow from the inner space 103. This can help prevent over inflation of the inflatable running jacket 100.

[0022] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 3, the inflatable running jacket 100 has an access unit 105. In some embodiments the access unit 105 is attached to the inner layer 101. In some embodiments the access unit 105 is attached to the outer layer 102. The access unit 101 could be any resealable material, such as a zipper or Velcro. In some embodiments, the access unit 105 allows access to the internal space 103 by opening the access unit 105. Opening the access unit can provide a user access to the fan unit 200 and the power control unit 106 from within the internal space 103. It also allows a user to access the wire(s) connecting the fan unit 200 and the power control unit 106. In some embodiments, the power control unit 106, the fan unit 200, and the wires can be removed from the inflatable running jacket 100 via the access unit 105. The power control unit 106, the fan unit 200, and the wires can be removed independently or as a whole.

[0023] FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of the fan unit 200. In one embodiment the fan unit 200 consists of a cover 202, an air vent 205, and an air intake 204. The air vent 205 is perpendicular to the inner layer 101 to allow the air flow directly into the internal space 103. The perpendicular air flow promotes proper inflation of the internal space 103.

[0024] The fan unit 200 pulls ambient air through the air intake 204, which is located within the cover 202, and into the internal space 103 through the air vent 205. The fan unit 200 inflates the internal space 103 at a constant rate. The constant rate may be changed to increase or decrease the amount of air flowing into the internal space. The combination of the air flow out of the seam 104 and into the internal space 103 is configured to allow the volume internal space 103 to be increase when the fan unit 200 is on.

[0025] In some configurations the fan unit 200 allows the air from the internal space 103 to escape the internal space 103 through the air vent 205.

[0026] In some embodiments the fan unit also includes a heating unit 203. In some embodiments, the heating unit 203 is a heated coil. In some embodiments, when the fan unit 200 is powered on, the heating unit 203 heats the ambient air brought in through the air intake 204 as the air moves through the fan unit 200 before the air goes into the internal space 103.

[0027] The fan unit 200 is attached to the outer layer 102. The outer layer 102 is secured between the outer cap 201 and the cover 203. In one embodiment the outer cap 201 and the cover 203 are configured to engage via a threaded connection. In one embodiment the outer cap 201 and the cover are configured to snap together. In some embodiments the fan unit 200 and the outer cap 201 are able to be uncoupled and detached from the outer layer 102.

[0028] In some embodiments the fan unit 200 extends inward from the outer layer 102 towards the inner layer 101. In some embodiments, the fan unit extends one inch or less towards the inner layer 101. The minimal depth of the fan unit 200 enhances easier inflation of the inflatable running jacket 100.

[0029] The flexible nature of the inner layer 101 and the outer layer 102 allows for the inflatable running jacket 100 to contort and change shape in response to the users movements. The inflation of the internal space 103 by the fan unit 200 does not limit the inflatable running jacket's ability to change shape. In some embodiments the seams 104 of the inflatable running jacket 100 restrict air from flowing out of the internal space 103 even when the user's movements affect the shape of the internal space 103. The seams 104 may not completely block air from flowing from the internal space 103 to outside the running jacket 100. As the air pressure increases within the internal space 103, the amount of air that flows through the seams 104 may increase. This increase in air pressure may be caused by the user changing the shape of the inner layer 101 and the outer layer 102 by moving. Thus, in some embodiments the air pressure within the internal space 103 may remain constant despite the user's movements, at least in part due to the airflow regulation of the seams 104.

[0030] FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of the power control unit 106. The power control unit 106 includes the power source 107 and the control unit 108. The power source 107 could be a rechargeable USB battery pack or replaceable batteries, for example. The control unit 108 allows the user to toggle the fan on and off by utilizing a button or a switch. In some embodiments the power control unit 106 contains battery level indicator LEDs to display the charge remaining in the power source 107.

[0031] FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of the power control unit 106. The stiff textile 109 is created partially of a magnetic material. In some embodiments the power control unit 106 magnetically attaches and detaches from to the stiff textile 109.

[0032] In some embodiments, the inner layer 101 is made of material that allows for air and water to permeate through the inner layer 101. This allows air or water to be pulled away from the user into the internal space 103 to help regulate the body temperature of the user. In some embodiments the inner layer 101 and the outer layer 102 are comprised of the same material.

[0033] Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of the invention also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the described features. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the scope of the claims, together with all equivalents thereof.