Apparel – Guard or protector – Body cover
Reexamination Certificate
2000-01-10
2001-04-03
Lindsey, Rodney M. (Department: 3741)
Apparel
Guard or protector
Body cover
C002S081000, C002SDIG001
Reexamination Certificate
active
06209144
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a protective garment which is specially adapted to provide cooling for the body of a wearer and more particularly to a protective garment which is suitable for wear under harsh environmental conditions, includes means for distributing a cooling fluid, such as water or gas, over the wearer's body and selectively controlling its distribution so as to maintain or adjust the temperature for different areas of the wearer's body, and is equipped with devices for transmitting signal indications of the physical condition, location and identity of the garment-wearer and for receiving signals which are relevant thereto.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Protective garments which are adapted to protect and control the temperature of a wearer's body are frequently a necessity for persons when in harsh environments, as for example, oil field workers in the desert or other high temperature climates, fire fighters when fighting a fire, and construction craftsmen such as pipe fitters, welders, and millwrights who oftentimes must work in enclosed vessels or similarly confining spaces where the temperature may exceed 100° F. Suits made of material such as Nomex have been devised for those who work in hostile atmospheres 'such as in chemical plants and petrochemical refineries. While a variety of such garments have been devised, all are lacking in one or more aspects which either endanger the garment wearer or add to his discomfort. A typical problem is an inability of the garment to maintain temperature in healthful and tolerable ranges about different areas of the wearer's body. Another problem is an inability to control the amount of moisture in the cooling fluid which therefore complicates system operation and adds to the wearer's discomfort. In addition, the protective garments in the prior art typically require cumbersome backpacks ar supporting paraphernalia which can seriously impede the activity of the wearer and which typically lack any means whereby information as to the wearer's physical condition, identity or location can be ascertained by a distant observer.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The protective garment of the present invention is designed to provide improvement in the art of ventilating environmental suits of the type adapted to be worn by personnel in high temperature, corrosive or otherwise harmful environments. The garment structure of the invention comprises sections for at least covering the torso of the wearer and the wearer's arms, legs and head as may be desired. In addition, depending on the wearer's needs and desires, the face, hands and feet extremities can also be covered by readily attachable complementary portions to the garment. The garment suit material is elastic and durable, and preferably impervious to the cooling fluid, particularly when the cooling medium is a liquid. The garment includes means for supplying and distributing a precooled and dehumidified ventilating gas to flow over the various body parts of the wearer. A supply of the coolant medium is carried on the wearer's suit or torso and the coolant is supplied therefrom to an inlet provided in the suit. From the inlet, the coolant is distributed through a system of conduits, which includes component distribution systems leading to the various body parts. The conduits are preferably attached to the interior lining of the suit and each provided with holes along its length for communicating the coolant medium to the interior of the suit for application to the wearer's body. Each component distribution system includes a valve controlled in its operation to increase or decrease coolant flow to a particular body area in order to maintain the surface temperature of the particular body area in a narrow range about 72° F. to 76° F. The garment may also be provided with sensors for monitoring and signalling indications of the physical condition, identity and location of the wearer.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4513452 (1985-04-01), Rankin et al.
patent: 4571741 (1986-02-01), Guillaumot
patent: 5127896 (1992-07-01), de Gaston
patent: 5193347 (1993-03-01), Apisdorf
patent: 5245993 (1993-09-01), McGrady et al.
patent: 5421326 (1995-06-01), Rankin et al.
patent: 5438707 (1995-08-01), Horn
patent: 5652966 (1997-08-01), Reinert
patent: 5774902 (1998-07-01), Gehse
patent: 5970519 (1999-10-01), Weber
patent: 1434956 (1968-11-01), None
patent: 1233851 (1986-05-01), None
Lindsey Rodney M.
Marnock Marvin J.
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